Saving 40% of irrigation water and 20% of fertilizer can still guarantee fertilizer's efficiency on crops

Fifty ESG 2023 investment enterprises recently attended a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss "Climate change and its increasingly strong impacts on the economy, society and environment". Accordingly, participating businesses concurred that it is imperative to work toward a sustainable future for future generations by adapting to climate change and gradually reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As a leading company in the food industry, Nestlé Vietnam focuses on solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain. Furthermore, the company plays a crucial role in promoting Vietnam's transition to sustainable agricultural production. Consequently, Nestlé Vietnam aims to establish a regenerative food system, ensure a sustainable food supply, address climate change, and enhance livelihoods and biodiversity.

According to Mr. Binu Jacob, General Director of Nestlé Vietnam, farmers relied heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides in order to boost crop productivity. However, this uncontrolled use of chemicals has adversely affected the quality of cultivation soil. If this farming method persists, there may be no food left for future generations. "We encourage farmers to switch to regenerative agriculture, which is based on soil and crop quality. We believe it can help protect our planet," he said.

The goal of regenerative agriculture is to improve soil quality and fertility as well as protect water resources and biodiversity. Improved soil quality will strengthen the crop's resilience to the effects of climate change, boost productivity, improve farmers' incomes and livelihoods, and increase carbon sequestration.

Regenerative agriculture has been integrated and implemented in Vietnam within the framework of the Nescafé Plan, a sustainable development program since 2011.

According to the program, Nestlé Vietnam shares regenerative agricultural practices with coffee farmers in the Central Highlands. These practices combine five primary solutions: logical intercropping, application of microbial organic fertilizer, water conservation, biodiversity enhancement and soil quality improvement.

After 12 years of implementation, the Nescafé Plan has helped over 21,000 farmers in the Central Highlands to produce coffee according to the "4C" criteria.

Furthermore, more than 330,000 farmers were trained in sustainable coffee farming, and 63.5 million disease resistant and high-yielding seedlings were distributed. As a result, the program has helped farmers save 40% of irrigation water, 20% of fertilizer, and 20% of production costs without compromising crop productivity.

During the Workers' Month, Nestlé Vietnam Company has collaborated with partners to provide disadvantaged workers with nutritional products in multiple provinces. Nearly 125,000 units of Nestlé Vietnam products including Milo barley milk, MaggiI soy sauce, Nescafé coffee, etc. have been delivered to employees.

Most notably, Nestlé Vietnam cooperated with the Golden Heart Charitable Social Fund under the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and the Dong Nai Provincial Labor Confederation to donate 2,600 gifts to disadvantaged union members, workers and patients in the cities of Hai Phong, Hai Duong, Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai.