organic farms & sustainability

FOOD

Tuesday, 1st of October 2019, at 15:42

Henrique Martins

Communications Consultant

Lisbon Sustainability Agency

According to data published in 2016 on PORDATA, Portugal is exactly at the European average of organic farming area (2.7%), with Austria leading the table at 6.8%. This figures can and should be identified as an opportunity for the expansion of the sector, which, combined with social and environmental sustainability practices and initiatives, as well as their communication, will definitely leverage the business of these farms.

In a farm, being sustainable is much more than organic agriculture. An analysis of critical success factors, framed within the three pillars of sustainability, allows us to identify areas for improvement, opening the door to a clear positive differentiation from the rest of the market. While organic production is already an existing factor in these farms, environmental sustainability also involves promoting a balance in the using of natural resources, as well as mitigating impacts. Analyzing the life cycle and the impact of day-to-day activities on a farm, regarding energy consumption, water consumption and waste generation and treatment, enables great improvement for its sustainable development. Moreover, the Fairtrade certification will further prove the effectiveness of fair trade practices all throughout the value chain, ensuring transparency and good working conditions and fair payment for farmers, and increasing trust by Customers, consumers and the whole community.

At LSA, we audit internal practices in organic farms, in order to implement both simple and more complex sustainability measures. We also prepare our Clients to obtain certifications such as the Fairtrade, while communicating achievements to stakeholders and planning strategic partnerships to increase awareness.