Brazil's Fundecitrus has rolled out the Good Fruits program at Expocitrus, targeting the incorporation of legal labor practices on rural properties, reports Citrus Industry. This initiative seeks to align citrus growers with Brazilian standards, striving for a safer and more equitable work environment.
Following its launch, Fundecitrus distributed the guide "Employer Good Practices in Citrus Farming" to growers. This guide addresses various aspects of labor legislation pertinent to the citrus sector, including compliance, health care, and worker safety.
Franklin Behlau, Fundecitrus researcher and program coordinator, stated, "Our research has already made significant progress in increasing economic and environmental sustainability. Now, we are also stepping up our efforts to address the social pillar, drawing citrus growers' attention to the need to work in accordance with the law, A fair, safe and respectful work environment not only improves productivity, but also strengthens the sector's image and guarantees access to markets that are increasingly demanding in terms of social responsibility. Taking care of people means taking care of your production."
At the same event, Lauro Rodrigues Nogueira Junior, territorial researcher from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), discussed carbon challenges within the citrus industry. The study, backed by Fundecitrus and funded by Innocent Drinks, explored fauna biodiversity and carbon storage capabilities in orange trees, soil, and native vegetation. It highlighted 36 million tons of carbon sequestered in a territory spanning 560,000 hectares.
Source: Citrus Industry