Our Vision: Environmental Responsibility

In order to minimize the environmental impact, and for the well-being of our workers, our company has implemented an integrated system of pest management. Through this effort, we greatly have reduced the use of pesticides and fungicides. This is a production-management strategy that employs a variety of complementary methods, such as physical, mechanical, biological, genetic and cultural factors to help control plagues and disease. This method is applied in three stages: prevention, observation and application. Only as a last resort do we use chemical resources.

We also employ cultural practices in order to be more environmentally friendly. The use of cover vegetables, such as the pinto peanut (Arachis pintoi), are greatly beneficial in preventing erosion along the slopes where we cultivate birds of paradise. The pinto peanut also keeps weeds under control, thus completely eliminating the use of herbicides. Additionally, the Arachis pintoi adds nitrogen to the soil, which has allowed us to reduce our use of chemical nitrogen. This is extremely important, as artifically adding nitrates to the soil can be a source of pollution for both surface and underground water sources. When the pinto peanut is cut and decomposes, the plant adds an important amount of organic material to the ground, which in turn improves the soil structure and helps retain moisture and nutrients.

Composting is another important element in our environmental policies. All organic waste produced on the plantation, such as leaves and flowers, are used as compost that in turn fertilizes our crops. By using compost, we greatly reduce the need to buy chemical-based fertilizers. Apart from the nutritional benefits, this helps improve soil structure, retain moisture and nutrients, and aids in the development of root systems.

It's worth mentioning that, in addition to the 20 hectares of exotic flowers, we have two hectares of secondary rainforest that protects natural streams. In fact, our farm is carbon neutral. We produce much more oxygen than carbon dioxide.