Sustainability
Feronia defines sustainability as the consumption of current resources without detriment to the potential requirements of future generations. Feronia is committed to operating its agricultural enterprises in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner.
Crop Rotation
Feronia sees crop rotation as an essential management technique to maintain the productivity of the soil and increase long term operational efficiency. Crop rotation benefits the production system in a number of different ways:
- Weed control with less dependence on herbicides and associated problems of resistance development.
- Reduction in the risk of recurrent plant diseases and insect infestations which require increased fungicide and insecticide applications.
This biological control of undesirable plant and insect species aims to improve the efficiency of machinery and staff and reduce the dependence on environmentally harmful chemicals.
Harvest Management
Feronia operates in regions where the opportunity exists to harvest two or three times a year. It is important to have a harvest management practice that takes into account the impact that this level of activity will have on the soils and the environment.
- Regular and detailed soil analyses are undertaken.
- Mapped using satellite imagery and integrated into the GPS technology on board our machinery, accurately adjusting pH and nutrient levels on a hectare by hectare basis.
- Precise applications minimise potential nitrate run-off and carbon emissions from excessive consumption of imported fertilisers.
- Feronia appreciates the importance of soil structure and health in maximising its sustained productivity. Machinery traffic and the associated compaction and damage to soil health is minimised through the operation of a No-Till System. The tropical soils Feronia operates on are highly susceptible to moisture loss and compaction. No-Till conserves the structure, moisture and organic content of the soil. Reduces the volumes of fossil-fuels burnt while working the land into production and thus assists in reducing the carbon emissions of Feronia’s activities.
- Producing grain crops in the tropics presents the issue of harvesting at a moisture content too high for long-term storage. Northern Hemisphere producers typically dry grains with gas or oil fired burners with the associated costs to their profits and to the environment. Feronia is an advocate of renewable and sustainable energy resources. Biomass from our rubber operations and planting of forestry for use in our burners eliminates our dependence on fossil fuels and helps us move towards a goal of carbon neutrality.
Environment
Feronia operates an Environmental Management Plan across its investments.
- Projects maintain an area of 35% for wildlife reserves which integrated into the design.
- Wildlife corridors are built into the farm plans from conception to completion
- Water quality is integral to the health of the wider environment. Regular testing is undertaken and amelioration activities put in place.
- No production activity is permitted within 100metres of any watercourse
Contributing to the Local Community
Feronia understands its responsibilities to the local community.
Provision of education, electricity, safe drinking supplies, healthcare and good sanitation are key to ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship with our workforce and their families.
Feronia aims to benefit the local community wherever we operate by providing employment and opportunities for advancement.
Our people are our most important asset which is why we are committed to constantly improving our communication with our communities and making the necessary adaptations when they arise.