We adhered to the Pro-Carbon and CORTEVA-CARBON GROUP programs, which aim to increase carbon sequestration in the soil by adopting sustainable agricultural practices, thus contributing to the mitigation of global climate change. In addition, we are currently working on measuring the carbon footprint of our own farms in Argentina.
PRO-CARBON PROGRAM: The Pro-Carbon Program, launched by Bayer Argentina S.A., aims to increase carbon sequestration in the soil through the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. The program’s medium-term objective is to move towards the creation of a carbon market with the main actors in the chain and investors from other sectors, in order to consolidate a carbon-neutral agriculture that underpins the global objective of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
CORTEVA-CARBON GROUP PROGRAM: The Corteva-Carbon Group Program seeks to establish a modern agricultural system that will allow us to contribute to global climate change by increasing carbon sequestration in our soils and reducing GHG emissions, thus enhancing the associated benefits that arise from its adoption.
The program has the following objectives, among others:
- Improve carbon sequestration by the soil.
- Apply technology that improves soil properties.
- Transform the production system from one that emits greenhouse gases to one that captures and retains them in soils, for the benefit of humanity and future generations.
- Facilitate access to climate finance.
- Facilitate access to the carbon market through the certification and issuance of carbon credits.
- Collaborate with the country in complying with the Paris agreement (2015), which established guidelines to mitigate greenhouse gases (GHG).
The Program constitutes an important tool to enhance the capture and sequestration of carbon in agricultural soils, through the adoption of sustainable management of them, assuming the commitment by CRESUD of its central role to provide solutions that impact globally throughout society. In this way, CRESUD becomes a main actor in the paradigm shift in the way of producing and committed to climate change mitigation.
BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
We protect areas of high biodiversity and their biological corridors, because they are our green lung. In argentina, we have more than 100,000 hectares of reserve areas, which are monitored to ensure that biodiversity and its ecosystem services remain healthy.
Afforestation project in el tigre: Afforestation with native species with high water absorption in the lower areas of the farm and beautification of the farm. This project was carried out in two stages:
Stage 1: In the area of the former dairy farm and its surroundings, Peruvian peppers, willows, eucalyptus, oaks, casuarinas, acacia pines and cypresses were planted, forming curtains of 350 meters from east to west, to block the south wind in the area of the feedlot corrals. Progress was also made in the main house sector, where curtains were erected to stop the west and south winds. Finally, specimens were planted in the area chosen for the future desk, in order to enhance, beautify and stop winds. Beautification species were also planted at the entrance to the farm. In this case, the species chosen were: poplars, cypresses, chinaberry trees, empress trees, acer and catalpas, with which we achieved a double purpose, since, from distant places of the farm, the different physiognomies and coloring will be seen. Plants with showy flowers and different crown structures, shapes and shades of leaves of both deciduous and evergreen species will prevail, so that different landscapes can be seen throughout the year.
Stage 2: Seven forests were planted, which will be placed in the sectors of the old dismantled watering places, with the objective of achieving colorful formations from different heights of the farm and integrating the landscape towards the horizon.
Agroriego – province of San Luis: At the Agroriego farm, in the province of San Luis, we carried out an environmental diagnosis in the reserve areas, identifying the flora and fauna present in the natural forest, with the aim of monitoring it and preserving its biodiversity. In 2022, we developed a green corridor in our Agroriego San Luis farm. We built an interpretive trail to learn more about the native flora and fauna. The trail has an extension of about 200 meters, with illustrative signs of the different species that can be observed, so that visitors can take an interactive tour. Several universities in northern Argentina have visited the farm and its biodiversity corridor.
NATURE RESERVES IN ARGENTINA
Los pozos – province of salta. Private nature reserve: We signed an agreement with the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development of the province of Salta, incorporating a 4,746-hectare Private Nature Reserve into the Provincial System of Protected Areas of the province, in order to preserve flora and fauna. It has a high conservation value due to its strategic position, for its environmental services and for being part of an area of highly relevant biological corridors, which allow connectivity between different environments and provinces, enhancing territorial management under a conservation scheme and in a production context. The incorporation of the Private Nature Reserve is vital to preserve some species that are at risk or vulnerable, as indicated by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and CAAC (Categorization of Argentine Birds according to their conservation status), the National Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, and Aves Argentinas.
8 De julio – province of Santa Cruz: 8 de Julio is the southernmost farm of CRESUD, located in the province of Santa Cruz, where sheep wool production is developed. The property has a nature reserve, where a very diverse native fauna of penguins, sea lions and birds can be observed.
