At Seara, 55 percent of integrated producers' farms are already using solar energy
In 2023, Seara concluded the year with a significant achievement: 55% of the brand's integrated producer farms now use solar energy in their facilities. The result is even more remarkable when considering only poultry farms, where usage reached 60% by the end of 2023. In certain regions, the numbers are highly impactful; among integrated producers in Trindade do Sul (RS), the adoption of photovoltaic panels exceeded 92% of the farms, while in units supplying the Salvador do Sul (RS) region, usage reached 96%.
The implementation of photovoltaic panels on farms has been promoted by Seara, either through incentives for producers migrating to solar energy or by facilitating financing for the purchase and installation of equipment with reduced interest rates.
"The cost of electricity plays a significant role in the integration production process, and it is essential to explore alternatives to reduce it. Photovoltaic technology is an option that adds competitiveness to the activity, providing cost reduction and increased margins for producers. Studies show that electricity costs are the third-largest expense in a broiler farm, and the transition to the photovoltaic model can result in up to a 90% savings on the electricity bill", says José Antônio Ribas, Executive Director of Agriculture of Seara.
"Currently, with the increase in suppliers, greater availability, and mastery of photovoltaic technology in the market, coupled with an annual increase in electricity costs by utilities, often encouraged by water scarcity crises, 'Green' credit lines with more attractive interest rates represent an investment that is becoming increasingly competitive", emphasizes Vamiré Luiz Sens Júnior, Executive Manager of Agriculture of Seara. "The initiative tends to pay off within three years, allowing what was previously only a cost item to be incorporated as a margin by the producer. Therefore, it is a solution that is not only more sustainable but also economically advantageous for the integrated business", adds Vamiré.
Seara's Bonus Checklist for Integrated Producers
Seara has a checklist that guides the bonus policy for integrated poultry and swine partners. In addition to structural and procedural adequacy criteria, the checklist also includes Sustainability items, responsible for up to 35% of the total bonus value. Among ESG criteria, in addition to the installation of renewable energy sources on farms, such as photovoltaic panels, the checklist also includes the implementation of a program for the identification, separation, and proper disposal of solid waste; and the adoption of all rules for animal welfare. Farms adhering to all three criteria are entitled to a bonus.
The implementation of sustainability criteria in the checklist was an important move for JBS. Encouraging integrated producers to use renewable energy sources contributes to the company's Net Zero goal and will be crucial for reducing Scope 3 emissions within the company's value chain.
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