• The Sustainable Farming Assurance Programme (SFAP)

      The programme (PDF) includes all relevant sustainability topics divided into four different pillars and add-on modules to customize the programme to your desire. We create a lean and mean program, making sure the administrative burden for the farmer is as low as possible, but at the same time guarantee a robust verification system.

    • The Sustainable Farming Assurance Programme Non-Conversion (SFAP Non-Conversion)

      This programme (PDF) includes all SFAP pillars plus a strict Non-Conversion pillar. This pillar protects a wide range of biomes and vegetation types - like Amazon and Cerrado.

       

      On the SFAP Non Conversion certificate it will be an option to show the CO2 footprint of the soybeans produced on the specific certified farms. Within the producer groups certified, we have several farmers that have opened up their farms more than 20 years ago, leading to a CO2 footprint without a contribution of LUC (Land Use Change).

       

      Both programmes are compliant with the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines.

      Legal compliance and good business practice

      Legal compliance is the starting point of SFAP. Whether it is about land rights, agrochemical use of soy expansion, farmers have to comply with local and national legislation.

      Respect of human rights and safeguarding worker safety

      Although soy farming is in general labour extensive, the health and safety of the workers needs to be guaranteed at all times. Therefore SFAP includes a strong human and labour rights section.

      Good agricultural practices and environmental protection

      Future proof agriculture starts with a healthy soil, clean water and a rich biodiversity. That is why soil and water protection is included in the SFAP, just as protection of native vegetation. For Brazil the Amazon Moratorium is included in this pillar.

      Safeguarding community relations

      SFAP certified farmers are open for communication with their neighbors, minimise effects on other farmers, the environment or communities and adequately respond to complaints.

      Non Conversion

      The SFAP Non-Conversion programme includes besides the four previous pillars a zero conversion pillar.
      This pillar is about protection of a wide range of biomes and vegetation types against conversion into arable land. Examples are tropical forests like Amazon. Other biomes like Cerrado area and Chaco area are also included.

    • The challenge

      Commitments towards zero-deforestation and ‘clean supply chains’ are easy to make, but challenging to realise in practice. We understand your challenge. SFAP and SFAP Non-Conversion are solutions for companies who look for credible, flexible and scalable sustainable sourcing solutions that can be implemented in a commodity environment.

      Our offer to feed, food and retail companies

      We will help you implement sustainable sourcing solutions that are cost efficient, credible and scalable. Our local experts organise the supply of certified materials in countries of origin. Based on our market expertise in Europe, we will match this supply with the demand in the destination markets.

       

      SFAP and SFAP Non-Conversion are relevant for all arable crops and in all regions in the world.
       

      SFAP Non-Conversion supports zero-deforestation and non conversion commitments.

       

      The supply chain models we support are Book & Claim or
      Area Mass Balance (specified by country, region or biome) allowing for cost effective solutions. Our farmer verification is performed by leading independent certification bodies that have a vast experience with sustainability certification, operate in accordance with ISO-procedures and are controlled by an official accreditation body.

      Our offer to farmers
       

      Farmers worldwide are challenged to produce in a sustainable manner and provide proof that they are doing so. Certification is a common tool. The costs and administrative requirements of certification can be substantial though, posing a barrier to participation. SFAP and SFAP Non-Conversion understand the challenges of farmers and offers a solid, and at the same time practical and cost-efficient solution.

       

      Let us help you and the farmers in your community become certified under SFAP and SFAP Non-Conversion.

       

      Benefits for farmers are:

      • Hands-on and practical programme with a robust verification module.
      • No ‘buyer dependency’
      • Relevant for all arable crops 
      • Cooperative or farm group in the lead

      In origin we work closely together with selected partners for organising and supporting farmer groups towards the certification against the SFAP and SFAP Non Conversion schemes.
      This video is showing how our local Brazilian partner is supporting farmers in achieving te benefits of a SFAP or RTRS certification.

    • Our chain of custody models

      We offer two different chain of custody models: Book & Claim and Area Mass Balance.

      Book & Claim model: the claim will be connected to the end user separately from the physical flow.
      Area Mass Balance model: the certificates and the physical flow originate from the same area.

    • Our approach

      Our approach is practical, pragmatic and hands-on. Our approach is always tailor-made to the needs of our clients. Read more in the section below.

      Our market experts identify market opportunities on the demand side and get in touch with companies that need a sustainable sourcing solution. We will support you to identify your sourcing challenge and to determine a pathway for the implementation of SFAP and SFAP Non-Conversion.

       

      Our field experts identify and support farmer groups who want to apply for certification. In certain cases we will also actively organise farm groups to match a concrete demand. Our experts in the field also help farmers preparing for certification.
       

      The group manager is responsible for a robust internal control system. When the group has taken all preparations, we will match them with a credible certifying body.
      The certification body will inspect the internal control system and a sample of farmers. If all signs are green, certification is granted and the certificates are issued.

       

      We will make sure all administrative trails related to this transaction are managed in a transparent manner. We are also open to discuss and arrange physical supply chain solutions.

       

       

       

       

    • ProAgros

      ProAgros connects end users comitted to sustainable sourcing with farmers who have proven to be producing sustainably. Therefore ProAgros developed the SFAP and SFAP Non-Conversion programme. The company is led by Jan Nicolai.

       

      Jan Nicolai has over 40 years of experience in the commodities market, as a buyer, trader, arbitrader in trade disputes, board member of RTRS and transition manager. He has a vast knowledge of the dynamics in the European market and the needs and challenges faced by market parties. Jan Nicolai worked at Nutreco, The Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH) and is a former board member of RTRS. In 2014, Jan Nicolai started ProAgros.

    • Approved farmer support partners

      ProAgros selects partners with access to farmers, based on their knowledge of good agricultural practices and sustainable production. Our partners support farmers in order to reach the SFAP-certifiable level.

       

      For Brazil, ProAgros works together with CerQuality.

       

      Approved certification partners

      We have selected a certification body that certifies farmers under the SFAP and SFAP Non-Conversion programme. Find the relevant partners (PDF). This list might be extended in the future.

    • Contact Us

      Please don’t hesitate to contact us and hear what we can do for you.

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    Sustainable Farming Assurance Programme © 2017

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