Better for Roquette and the Environment
Besides the valuable contribution that growing peas sustainably has on taking care of environment, how else do pea growers contribute to our business? Anastasia Kubinec is an agronomist at our Portage la Prairie plant, where she works with growers who supply peas from Manitoba and Saskatchewan. She also supports the growers to complete their Environmental Farm Plan, which is required as part of Roquette’s sustainability planning.
The EFP program is a Federal Canadian program that is run by each province and is compatible with the global Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Platform (SAI). Crop producers demonstrate sustainable competency of their operations by completing a confidential self-assessment. A workbook (Manitoba) and online platform (Saskatchewan) guides the growers through, to make informed assessments of their farming operations, based on current best management practices for agricultural business sustainability, to be more environmentally friendly and for human health and safety.
How We Work with Our Growers
Based on consumer demand, Roquette requires growers who supply peas to their Portage la Prairie plant to prove that they are producing peas sustainably. Roquette has identified the EFP as a best means to achieve this. Roquette has collaborated with the Manitoba and Saskatchewan government to develop a specific Pea Production Chapter. Producers that complete the EFP process, including this pea production chapter will be eligible to qualify for a contract.
In Canada, Roquette works with growers to source peas in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Roquette team’s main goal at this stage of working with growers was for the growers to get started on their EFP through the workbook and online portals. Roquette also offered a financial incentive for contracted growers to complete the EFP in time for delivering their peas later this summer.
The Roquette team has been on hand to answer questions, provide materials, and help administer an orientation webinar to growers about the EFP process. The webinar explains how to complete their workbook and develop an action plan for any operational changes to mitigate environmental concerns, and how to contact a reviewer to finalize the EFP and receive a Statement of Completion.
Anastasia said, “I’m really impressed with the growers’ uptake of the program. About 93% of them have gone through the online portal to start their EFP, which is up from about only 25% as of November 2020. About 40% of them have received their Statement of Completion to date [April 2021]. We aim to be at 95% completion within our contracts with the growers this year, and we will work to support any remaining growers to achieve completion.”
What’s Next?
During the pea growing season of May to September, Anastasia and the rest of the raw materials procurement team plan to visit several of the contracted fields. The team may also help provide observations and make assessments to continue building our partnership with the growers.
These various elements in our relationship with growers and the environment are part of the overall big picture that enables us to keep offering products to our customers and consumers.
Roquette’s goal is to be at the silver-level or higher for the peas we contract to buy. Every five years, growers will need to renew their EFP and Statement of Completion to review any changes to policy and stay up to date on best recommendations for sustainable agriculture practices.
Search NUTRALYS® plant protein ingredients, get quality documents and request samples for your trials.
Your success is our greatest priority, and your needs are unique. We would love to better understand your needs and connect you with our experts.