75 percent of farms integrated with Seara already use clean energy
Six years ago, only about 5.6% of properties used solar energy, representing a growth of approximately 1,208% in that period. In the last year alone, these units generated 215.4 million kWh of solar energy, a volume sufficient to supply a city of approximately 94,400 inhabitants for a year. In addition to environmental gains, the initiative brings direct economic benefits to producers. With the reduction in electricity costs, automation is becoming increasingly common on farms.
On the farms, photovoltaic panels capture solar radiation and convert it into electrical energy, which is used directly in the poultry houses. This technology significantly reduces dependence on utility companies and ensures more competitive energy consumption for essential systems such as climate control in the sheds, automation, feed distribution, egg collection, and environmental control – factors that impact animal welfare, productivity, and product quality.
In pig farming, Seara is also advancing in the adoption of biodigesters as a strategic solution for generating renewable energy, combining productive efficiency, environmental and economic sustainability. Approximately 46% of integrated pig farms with potential for the technology already have biodigesters, a result of the company's continuous incentive and technical support. The Central-West region concentrates the largest number of these farms.
“Renewable energy, whether photovoltaic or through biodigesters, is economically sustainable, reduces costs and increases profit margins for farms. Producers can invest in technologies and automation, facilitating routines, improving the quality of life in the countryside and strengthening farm management. Therefore, these initiatives in agriculture represent one of the most complete concepts of sustainability, with positive impacts on the environment, governance and the community, generating concrete benefits, increasing competitiveness in the field, ensuring higher food quality and reinforcing Seara's commitment to increasingly responsible production”, says Vamiré Luiz Sens Júnior, Executive Manager of Agriculture at Seara.
In pig farms, biodigesters function as closed waste treatment systems, in which bacteria transform organic matter into biogas and biofertilizer. The biogas, rich in methane, is used to generate electricity, supplying the farm, climate control systems, and support structures. The process avoids the direct release of methane into the atmosphere and converts it into CO₂, significantly reducing the environmental impact.
In pig farming, approximately 46% of integrated pig farms with potential for the technology already have biodigesters.
The energy generated is fundamental to meeting the electrical demands of pig farming, especially in systems that require strict temperature control to ensure animal welfare and productivity. With biodigesters, many farms achieve energy self-sufficiency, drastically reducing or even eliminating their electricity bill. On average, savings on electricity reach 62%, transforming one of the main costs of the activity into a competitive advantage.
In the municipality of Seara (SC), integrated producer Rodrigo Bisollo produces around 160,000 piglets per year. Having run the property for 15 years, electricity costs reached R$ 70,000 per month, a reality that changed with the adoption of biodigesters, allowing him to eliminate his electricity bill. “We managed to transform what was previously an expense into income. Currently, the initiative adds around 3.5% to the property's revenue ,” he states. The structure is complemented by a solar energy system, which enhances self-generation and makes the farm energy self-sufficient.
In addition to generating energy, the system allows for the reuse of heat from the engines, used to heat water for sanitation processes and operational activities, increasing energy efficiency. The remaining solid waste is reused as biofertilizer, applied to crops, closing a sustainable production cycle and reinforcing circular economy practices in the field.
In addition to technical support for system implementation, Seara maintains policies and strategies for recognizing best practices, which encourages sustainable actions on integrated farms. The combination of technology, productive efficiency, and environmental responsibility has strengthened development in the field, contributing to the appreciation of rural activity, greater attractiveness for new generations, and prospects for expanding clean energy generation.
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