Corpohass says 28 hass avocado producers have joined together to support global climate action
The Colombian Hass avocado industry has announced the Carbon Hass Project, an initiative that seeks to mitigate greenhouse gases (GHG), to prevent ecological risks and counteract climate change and its impact on biodiversity.
According to Corpohass, the association that represents producers and exporters of Hass avocados from Colombia, the goal is to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals in the agricultural sector, which are in line with the country’s institutional framework.
The project includes 28 small and medium-sized Hass avocado growers who have committed to adopt the project initiatives to better protect the environment for future generations.
Project participants represent over 1,600ha of Hass avocado cultivation in Antíoquia, Caldas, and Risaralda, achieving the certification of 19,028 carbon credits available for sale.
Corpohass explained that the announcement strengthened the industry by showcasing how sustainability remained a priority in avocado production.
“This initiative allows us to continue working to position ourselves as an environmentally sustainable sector, which stands out for its superior agricultural practices,” said Katheryn Mejía Vergel, executive director of Corpohass.
”In addition, the Colombia avocado industry promotes rural labour formalisation which generates over 61,000 jobs across 16 departments and more than 250 municipalities where the fruit is cultivated.”
Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development said that climate change affected Colombian agriculture with droughts, frosts, floods, and new pests, and was also a cause of desertification.
As nationwide consumption increases, producers in categories outside Hass avocados have felt the pressure and the avocado was aiming to stem the tide, Corpohass stated.
The Carbon Hass Project is a response to this situation, enacting technological advancements and artificial intelligence to mitigate climate change.
The purpose is to challenge key industry players to identify their contribution to global warming and their responsibility to taking measures into their own hands.
“The dream of linking avocado crops to a carbon project is now a reality,” noted Esteban Gallo, leader of Forestry Consulting Group, the organisation coordinating the initiative.
“We are delighted to accompany this process so that the sector becomes a significant player in the mitigation of climate change on a global level,”
Carbon Hass was born to drive change and spark conversation amongst conservation efforts – all with the goal of prioritising sustainability efforts for a better tomorrow, Corpohass outlined.
Likewise, it said, the project supported the role of Colombia Avocados, as the country positions itself in the world’s global avocado markets and works toward establishing a benchmark for quality and good practices, ”representing sustainability at the heart of it all”.
