GCP partnership with Minas Gerais shows its first results

The Brazilian National Platform conducted several activities in Minas Gerais during November. This is a direct result of the recent partnership between the government of Minas Gerais and the Global Coffee Platform, which aims to improve sustainable practices in one of the main coffee producing regions in Brazil. From working groups to training sessions, the presence of the Global Coffee Platform, through its Country Platform, has set a milestone towards the sector’s journey to sustainability.

Working Group (BWG) meeting agreed on 35 Brazilian Sustainability Indicators

The third and last BWG meeting took place in Belo Horizonte and gathered 25 representatives of 18 institutions to conclude the discussion of the Brazilian Sustainability Indicators. The group agreed on 35 Brazilian Sustainability Indicators, already validated by the NAB (National Advisory Board), and now encourages GCP members to GCP members and partners to start measuring them at field level. The group has also discussed data sharing of the CSC App, the Global Coffee Sustainability Conference and Members Assembly in Geneva, GCP Brazil Program news and plans for 2018.

The meeting ended with GCP Brazil Program news and plans for 2018, including a presentation of Tchibo and Neumann Foundation Brazil (HRNSB). The two organizations shared with the group the concept of an initiative under discussion to foster sustainability at specific (South of Minas Gerais) regional level. BWG members contributed with feedback on technical aspects.

Launching the GCP Member’s Sustainability Catalogue at the International Coffee Week, in Minas Gerais

The GCP Brazil Program gathered GCP member´s data and published the Summarized Catalogue of the main GCP member´s sustainability initiatives. The Catalogue lists the sustainability projects in the Brazilian coffee sector with the support and collaboration of 36 GCP members and partners. Its goal consists on aligning initiatives, diminish the duplication of efforts, increasing partnerships among entities inspiring new actions and encouraging continuous improvement.

The Sustainability Catalogue was launched during the International Coffee Week, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, which is one of the largest coffee events in Brazil, gathering around 80 presentations and workshops, 30.000 coffees cups tasted and more than 17.000 visitors!

Download the digital version of the Sustainability Catalogue, available only in Portuguese clickhere

Click the links below to find specific GCP Brazil Program summarized activities.

Click here for the English version
Click here for the Portuguese version

1st GCP Internal Management System Training

Representatives from Cooxupé, a GCP member located in the south of Minas Gerais, received the first GCP Internal Management System (IMS) training, aimed to positively impact more than 13 thousand producers. The group also joined other GCP members and partners to share the IMS tool and knowledge for managing and monitoring coffee producers helping them to measure and promote continuous improvement.

Training sessions on the Coffee Sustainability Curriculum

More than one hundred agronomy students from the Federal University of Viçosa received a GCP training on the Coffee Sustainability Curriculum. The event included presentations regarding technology, the search for innovation and environmental responsibility in agriculture. The Federal University of Viçosa, located in Minas Gerais, is one of the most highly evaluated Agronomy Universities in Brazil.

Cerrado region in Minas Gerais had the first Advanced Training on the CSC involving Expocaccer, Olam, Coocacer – GCP members –, the Federal University of Viçosa in Rio Paranaíba and Educampo/SEBRAE. Technicians were involved in stimulating discussions in a region known by its high technological development. This region embraces 55 cities, presenting consistent soil and climate, which allows the production of high quality coffees in one of the most advanced Brazilian regions in certification.

For more information on the activities from the Brazilian Country Platform, visit the Platform’s website.