La Nueva Pubenza Farm

Challenges and performance

The company has managed to position itself as a regional benchmark in the province of El Oro. The Laniado family is a positive example in the production of bananas with high quality and sustainability standards. This family wishes to continue providing excellent service in the future and aspires to consolidate its position as a local market leader in sustainable agriculture. The company’s board of directors says: “our work is not focused on the banana business, but on the area of local development.”

As part of the cooperation project, the company has achieved the following:

Biodiversity :

• Monitoring: an inventory of species was carried out: most common birds (17), amphibians (3), reptiles (7), mammals (3) and trees (70). This list was updated in March 2019 by an environmental engineer who is also responsible for the management system. Employees are involved in monitoring, there are information events on the methodology of identification, observation and monitoring of populations. Employees report observations in the office. In addition, there is a project to relocate pigeon nests.
• The hacienda is a habitat for species that are considered in danger of extinction. This includes for example the dwarf iguana (Enyalioides heterolepis), the pollero wolf (Callopistes flavipunctatus), false triad corals (Micrurus bocourti) and the dwarf squirrel (Microsciurus simonsi). Personnel training is carried out for the special protection of these species.
• Several areas were reforested. In total, more than 8000 trees of different species have been planted (guayacán, sotacaballo, rasa, mangosteen, sapote, almond, acacia and chiggers). Some of them are fodder trees, birds and insects.
• 7% of the total area – this corresponds to 4.8ha – is a continuous bio-corridor, which is mainly a bird reservoir in the region.
• The company developed a honey project. Currently 30 hives are kept near the main office. The area is protected by vegetation barriers. Automatic systems are used to harvest honey. The harvest is shared with employees and partners.
• There are two insect hotels in the garden near the packing station.
• In 2018, the water quality in two channels was analyzed using biotic index samples. The study encompassed 6 genera of macroinvertebrates from 5 families, showing medium diversity.

Climate :

• The company implements several measures to reduce the climate footprint: Installation of solar panels, installation of efficient technologies, fertilization exclusively through Fertiriego (reduces the emission of nitrogen oxides) and extensive reforestation.

Water and Soil :

• Soil and leaf analysis are the basis of the fertilizer program.
• About 10% of the fertilization is organic, including the application of chopped rachis, especially in sandy areas, and the application of vermicompost violes via fertigation.
• Weed control is 100% mechanical, no herbicides are used. In renovation areas, living vegetation cover is maintained, in other areas organic matter is distributed to reduce erosion. All the canal banks are planted with living vegetation.
• A 2019 root analysis determined an average population of Radophulus Similis nematodes. The company does not use chemical nematicides. Alternatively, microorganisms such as Trichoderma, Beauveria Bassina and Paecilomyces are used, which are applied by irrigation.
• The company practices traditional bagging, but has been experimenting with a biodegradable microporous liner since 2019.
• There is a meteorological station that automatically analyzes data from various atmospheric variables (precipitation, evaporation, perceived temperature, wind, sunlight and dew). The information is the basis for the amount and time of irrigation.
• In addition to field samples, the team also uses meteorological data to analyze and forecast the presence of Black Sigatoka in order to minimize aerial spraying cycles.
• 60% of irrigation water is recycled: water from drainage channels flows to a reservoir, water from the packing station is also reprocessed and reused.

Team and Family :

• Hacienda Nueva Pubenza follows a declaration of nondiscrimination. It employs people with disabilities (4%) within the framework of compliance with the Ecuadorian legal provision (Article 42 / Section 33 of the Labor Code) and guarantees non-discriminatory access to employment.
• 27% of the team are women, four women work in administration. Women receive the same salary for the same work and have the same access to all offers and services of the company.
• The company has several networks and cooperates with various organizations. He is a member of «Agroban», affiliated with the Chamber of Agriculture and is in contact with public institutions such as the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health. 3 cents of each box of bananas produced is donated to the “Fundación Humana” and invested in environmental and social programs with the surrounding communities.
• In cooperation with the Humana Foundation, the “Banana Family Welfare” project is being carried out, which trains family members from neighboring communities through initiatives such as organic gardens, recycling workshops and nutrition courses. Medical prevention events are being implemented, in addition, a community bank is being created in cooperation with «Beautiful Family Action Group».
• The company deals intensively with social and municipal issues and runs educational programs with nearby schools:
  • Enriqueta de Wind de Laniado School: environmental protection and waste reduction, construction of school gardens.
• Inorganic waste is collected by coordinators. Various waste and recycling actions are carried out with neighboring communities:
  • Production of compost to be used in family gardens with the women of the El Cambio community.
  • Bottle recycling workshop.
  • Training on waste by the company EIA (Environmental Impact Studies).
  • There is no food waste, fruit that cannot be exported is ripened in its own ripening rooms and sold to national supermarkets. Other fruit is processed in industries for animal feed, fruit juices and purees. In addition, fruit is donated.
  • Trainings on various topics are held regularly, including together with firefighters in first aid, evacuation and rescue in case of earthquakes and fires.