At CTA Continental, we understand the critical role our farmers play in our supply chain and the importance of fostering strong relationships with our key partners. With this in mind, we hosted an “ESG Day” on November 13, 2024, bringing together our banking partners to showcase the intensive efforts we’ve dedicated to empowering farmers and embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles throughout our operations.
This event, designed with a focus on (but not restricted to) Compliance Managers, ESG Managers, and Sustainability Agents from banks, offered a transparent view of our initiatives, demonstrating how sustainability is at the core of our business strategy and culture while fostering meaningful dialogue with our financial partners.
A Focus on Farmers’ Sustainability
A major highlight of the day was our unwavering commitment to farmers’ sustainability. We presented initiatives that:
- Promote responsible agricultural practices.
- Drive enhanced productivity and profitability for farmers.
- Champion environmental stewardship aligned with global sustainability standards.
By emphasizing the economic importance of tobacco production in southern Brazil, we underscored its vital role in supporting rural livelihoods and strengthening local economies.
Event Highlights
Morning Presentations:
- Management Overview: Introduced our vision and ESG strategy.
- Economic Impact Analysis: Detailed the role of tobacco farming in regional economies.
- ESG Integration: Explained how sustainability principles guide our corporate culture and decision-making.
Factory Walkthrough:
Guests—including relationship managers, credit analysts, compliance managers, ESG managers, and sustainability agents—were invited to tour our production facilities. This hands-on experience showcased our innovative processes and commitment to operational efficiency and sustainability.
Farm Visits:
In the afternoon, participants visited two farms to witness firsthand the tangible results of our sustainability initiatives. The visits highlighted:
- Improved farmer livelihoods through targeted programs.
- Implementation of best agricultural practices.
- Positive impacts on local communities and the environment.
Strengthening Partnerships and Perceptions
The event fostered open dialogue, reinforcing our shared vision with banking partners to drive collective progress toward a sustainable future. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing admiration for our transparent approach and commitment to sustainability.
Several banking partners left the event with a renewed confidence in CTA Continental, and some were so impressed that they suggested we make this a yearly event.
We are proud of the strong partnerships we’ve built and remain committed to advancing sustainability, empowering farmers, and delivering value to all stakeholders.