Sustainable Oil: What it means to be Eco-sustainable

Nowadays sustainability is an extremely discussed topic, but what does being "eco-sustainable" really mean for a company that works in agriculture?

What does Sustainability mean

Being sustainable means adopting behaviors and practices that allow us to satisfy present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their own.

It is an approach that takes into account the balance between the environment, the economy and society.

Environment

From an environmental point of view, sustainability involves the responsible use of natural resources, the conservation of biodiversity and the reduction of environmental impact. This includes the adoption of renewable energy, sustainable water management, reduction of waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Economy

From an economic perspective, sustainability refers to the adoption of business and industrial practices that create long-term value by promoting energy efficiency, innovation and corporate social responsibility. This also involves considering social and environmental aspects in corporate decision-making processes.

Society

From a social perspective, sustainability is about promoting equity, social justice and the well-being of communities. This includes the protection of human rights, access to education, health and a dignified life for all, without compromising the resources and rights of future generations.

Being sustainable requires an integrated approach that takes into account the interconnections between the environment, the economy and society. It means balancing current needs with future ones, adopting policies and behaviors that promote the long-term durability of the planet and human well-being.

Is agriculture sustainable today?

Today, agriculture can be considered sustainable if it adopts practices that reduce environmental impact, preserve natural resources and promote the well-being of agricultural communities.

However, agricultural sustainability is a complex topic and varies depending on the practices and technologies adopted.

Some aspects that characterize sustainable agriculture include:

1. Soil Conservation: The use of cultivation techniques that reduce soil erosion, such as crop rotation, use of plant covers, and proper irrigation management.

2. Water management: The adoption of practices that improve water use efficiency, such as drip irrigation, the use of sensors to measure soil moisture, and the implementation of harvesting systems of rainwater.

3. Reduction of chemical use: Limiting the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers through the adoption of organic pest control methods and the use of organic fertilizers.

4. Promotion of biodiversity: The creation of habitats for wildlife, the conservation of indigenous species and the promotion of genetic diversity of crops.

5. Efficient use of energy: The implementation of practices that reduce energy consumption in agricultural operations, for example through the use of renewable energy, the optimization of production processes and the adoption of energy-efficient technologies .
   
   
6. Social impact: The adoption of practices that protect the rights of agricultural workers, promote food security, improve the living conditions of rural communities and contribute to local economic development.

However, it should be emphasized that sustainable agriculture is not yet the norm in many contexts. There are still challenges to address, such as sustainable intensification, reducing waste, adopting agroecological practices and implementing agricultural policies that promote sustainability.

Plowing and carbon monoxide

Soil plowing is a common practice in agriculture, which consists of turning over the soil using agricultural tools such as the plow. However, plowing can have impacts on carbon monoxide (CO2) emissions and climate change.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. CO2 emissions: During plowing, the soil is exposed to the air, favoring the decomposition of the organic matter present in the soil. This decomposition can lead to the release of CO2 into the atmosphere. Additionally, plowing can disrupt the balance of microorganisms in the soil that are responsible for the breakdown of organic matter.

2. Loss of soil carbon: Plowing can increase the rate of soil erosion, causing the loss of surface layers rich in organic carbon. This can reduce the soil's ability to hold carbon and contribute to increased CO2 emissions.

3. Alternative practices: There are alternative agricultural practices, such as no-tillage or reduced tillage, which seek to minimize the impact of CO2 emissions. These practices aim to keep the soil covered with plant residues, reducing plowing and promoting the use of permanent plant covers. This can promote the accumulation of carbon in the soil and the reduction of CO2 emissions.

4. Conservation Agriculture: Conservation agriculture is an approach that aims to reduce plowing and maintain soil health. This approach promotes the use of techniques such as direct seeding, the use of cover crops and crop rotation to improve soil structure, reduce erosion and preserve organic carbon.

It is important to note that agricultural sustainability is a complex balance between multiple factors, and agricultural practices can vary depending on the context, type of crop and soil characteristics. The choice of agricultural practices should take into account long-term environmental, social and economic needs.

The impact of chemicals in agriculture

Chemicals used in agriculture, such as pesticides and chemical fertilizers, can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment, human health and agricultural sustainability.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Impacts on the environment: Some chemicals used in agriculture can have negative effects on the environment. For example, pesticides can contaminate surface and groundwater, damage biodiversity, including beneficial insects and soil organisms, and contribute to resistance in parasites. Furthermore, the excessive use of chemical fertilizers can lead to the phenomenon of water eutrophication, causing the proliferation of harmful algae and damaging aquatic ecosystems.

2. Human health: The improper or excessive use of chemicals in agriculture can pose a risk to human health. Agricultural workers who are directly exposed to pesticides can face health risks, such as skin irritation, respiratory problems, neurological diseases and even cancer. Furthermore, it is important to also consider indirect exposure through the consumption of agricultural products treated with pesticides.

3. Resistance and residues: Prolonged and intensive use of pesticides can lead to the development of resistance in parasites and weeds, making the chemicals themselves less effective. Furthermore, pesticide residues may remain on agricultural products that are consumed, excessive quantities of such residues may represent a health risk.

Sustainable Approaches

Sustainable agriculture seeks to reduce the use of chemicals through the adoption of alternative practices. These include organic agriculture, which is based on the use of biological pest control methods, and integrated agriculture, which aims to reduce the use of pesticides through the use of integrated control strategies and the promotion of natural balances.

Regulation and Management:

Governments and institutions regulate the use of chemicals in agriculture in order to mitigate their negative impacts. Regulations and guidelines for the safe and responsible use of chemicals, accurate labeling of products and the correct management of agricultural waste are important to reduce the risks associated with the use of these substances.

The goal is to adopt approaches that minimize the negative impacts of chemicals in agriculture, safeguarding the environment, human health and promoting long-term sustainability

Reduction of water consumption in agriculture

Reducing water consumption in agriculture is a key aspect to promote the sustainability of the sector and preserve water resources.

Here are some approaches and practices used to reduce water consumption in agriculture:

1. Efficient irrigation: Adopting efficient irrigation systems can help reduce water consumption. Drip irrigation, micro-sprinkler irrigation, or sprinkler irrigation can be more efficient than traditional drip or sprinkler irrigation methods.

2. Irrigation scheduling: It is important to plan and schedule irrigation based on the actual needs of the crops. Using sensors to monitor soil moisture can help farmers determine when and how much water is needed, avoiding waste.

3. Soil Management: Proper soil management can help improve its water-holding capacity. Using techniques such as using plant covers, mulching, or reducing soil tillage can help reduce water evaporation and maintain higher moisture in the soil.

4. Selecting adapted crops: Selecting crops adapted to climate and water availability can help reduce water consumption. Crops that are drought tolerant or require less water may be preferable in areas with limited water resources.

5. Innovative technologies: The use of innovative technologies can help reduce water consumption in agriculture. For example, the use of precision sensor-based irrigation systems and the use of drones for vegetation mapping can enable more targeted and efficient irrigation.

6. Water recycling and reuse: Water recycling and reuse can help reduce dependence on external water resources. Rainwater can be collected and used for irrigation, and waste or drainage water can be treated and reused.

The combination of these practices can help reduce water consumption in agriculture and promote a more sustainable use of water resources, promoting crop productivity and environmental conservation.

Angimbe's sustainability points

1. Replacement of traditional plowing with disc plowing only once per season, which only has the function of eradicating weeds without creating furrows that release carbon monoxide and create desertification.
   
   
2. 100% elimination of chemicals for plant treatment and soil fertilization. We are in fact proudly a certified organic company.
   
   
3. Elimination of traditional electricity: the few jobs we do are done with mechanical means, furthermore we limit the presence of humans only during the day both to avoid the use of artificial energy and to respect the environment where we are. We find ourselves inside a nature reserve populated by cork plants, animals and birds that want to live respecting the times of nature and do not excessively tolerate the presence of man.
   
   
4. We do not irrigate so as not to consume water: through the use of plant covers and reduced tillage of the soil, we help reduce water evaporation and maintain greater humidity in the soil

At Angimbe we have decided to define ourselves as Bioethical, as in addition to producing a certified organic oil, we want to do all this in an ethical and sustainable way, respecting the environment, trying to pay those who work there fairly, reducing carbon monoxide emissions into the atmosphere, avoiding irrigation to avoid wasting water, limiting the presence of humans in the olive grove only during the day to avoid the consumption of electricity and respect the animals that live there. Processing is reduced to a minimum and with the use of mechanical means.

All this is absolutely normal for us, we have been doing it for generations and not to gain the favor of consumers, who in this historical moment are more sensitive to these topics, but because we have always found ourselves within a natural reserve made of corks, animals and birds with which we want to live in harmony.