We are proud to announce that we are one of three finalists for the Bonsucro Inspire Awards, under the category “Best Value Chain Initiative” for our Extensionism program, MAS- CAÑA in Mexico. This program was originally developed in partnership with Bayer, the sugarcane associations of Panuco and Solidaridad in the region of influence of Panuco Mill. After seeing our success, our client Barry Callebaut became our ally in replicating the program in El Mante. Currently, we are working to improve the productivity and socioeconomic conditions of more than 7,500 small sugarcane producers in Mexico.
The Bonsucro Inspire Awards recognize outstanding contributions that drive sustainable sugarcane production globally. With nominations coming from around the world, participating projects faced various challenges, from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to facilitating green financing and promoting employment opportunities for women. These awards celebrate innovation, creative problem-solving, and collaboration to inspire others in the pursuit of sustainability within the sugar industry.
Our program was born in 2021 when, together with Bayer and the sugarcane associations (CNPR and CNC), we identified the opportunity to bring our best productive practices to small farmers in the region and established an agreement with the associations to develop technical training and specialized advice in the productive area of the Panuco Mill in Tamaulipas. Our goal is to generate economic, social, and environmental benefits, promoting a beneficial relationship for all parties involved and maximizing the yields of the sugarcane suppliers surrounding our operations. Farmers who have applied the knowledge acquired in the program have managed to increase their productivity per hectare by 40%, compared to neighboring producers who did not participate. The program provides information, and technology, and develops technical skills for farmers to replicate best agricultural practices, focusing especially on fertilization, irrigation, and pest control. Thanks to the support from Barry Callebaut, we have managed to expand the program to another region, the productive area of another operation, El Mante Mill. The program is currently in its first year of execution.
Our program has created a collaborative platform that includes all actors within our value chain, promoting dialogue and the co-creation of solutions that effectively address agricultural challenges and increase productivity. This initiative has strengthened social cohesion among producers, who now share knowledge and experiences beyond the program’s framework. In summary, MAS CAÑA has proven to be effective and can be replicated, driving the socio-economic development of the participating smallholder farmers, establishing a new standard of excellence in the industry.