Working with the land demands, more and more, the use of technology and attention to the formation of the crop, with the objective of allowing the implementation of a rotation of cultures that also allows this management to bring the best conditions, in order to reach the better results. It is no exaggeration to say that, in this chapter, Raízen has also taken the path of sustainability in large strides in this crop that is just beginning. So, let's see:

In the case of sugar and ethanol production, we must highlight the use of vinasse in sugarcane fertilization. This example allows us to say that almost all of our crops receive organic fertilization to the detriment of the adoption of mineral fertilizers, which have been reduced harvest after harvest. The result of this action is that the soil is not sacrificed, given the company's continuous concern to return nutrients to it to strengthen it.

The company's priority is to ensure that not only vinasse, but also other residues resulting from industrial production contribute to increasing biomass production, with special emphasis on composting and enrichment carried out with the filter cake in the compost yards, aiming mainly at plant nutrition. The work carried out with organic residues, as well as all management carried out, aim to improve soil fertility and, thus, increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable way.

In addition to the application of vinasse, another star of our crops is aerial foliar fertilizers. This technology has been applied by the sugar and ethanol sector for at least a decade, but at Raízen it has reached the condition of excellence, harvest after harvest.

There are two strengths in terms of sugar and ethanol production, which are biological fertilization and irrigation, in which the company has been recognized as an important player . in the market.

In the case of biological fertilization, in which we have already invested 30 million reais, biofactories have been developed with the production of beneficial microorganisms for the sugarcane field. This item tends to gain more space in the sector, with opportunities for closer ties with universities in the future.

Irrigation is also an expanding item in relation to pivot, drip and rescue sprinkler techniques. The company is among those that invest the most in the segment, with emphasis on the Araçatuba hub and the Andradina region. We have also developed partnerships with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation.

Between November and January, a time of more rain (and also greater plant growth), Raízen develops formulas that combine products such as nitrogen, molybdenum, boron and zinc; and this has contributed to the increase in the crop. The company has been using this technique in around 60% of its own sugarcane fields.

The aerial application, with the combination of nutrients, can be compared to an “injection into the vein” of the crops, which allows a return of between six and twelve tons per hectare.

Our goal is to ensure that all raw materials are used to allow for the rotation of the land. In the future, our intention is that most of Raízen 's farms with good performance have a greater number of cuts, reaching a level of excellence with productivity around 80 million tons ground.

It is important to point out that all this work is not restricted to Raízen 's own cane fields . Our aim is for the company's sugarcane suppliers to have access to these techniques. Foliar fertilization, in which we have already invested 45 million reais, is one of the most developed. The replication of these sustainable models in more areas should contribute to significant increases in productivity and raw material supply.

As the microbiota of the crop is restored, it is possible to have a more productive, resilient and sustainable sugarcane field. This is a permanent objective of Raízen ; and also one of the pillars of our success in the production of sugar and ethanol.