Dow helps Brazil improve agriculture sustainability ahead of Olympics

The Dow Chemical Co., known as the Official Carbon Partner of the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee and the “Official Chemistry Company” of the Olympic Games, recently said its Brazilian agricultural branch, Dow AgroSciences Brazil, has collaborated with farmers in Brazil to practice more-sustainable agriculture.

By working with farmers from Mato Gross state, the current agricultural practices in the region can be improved to create climate benefits that will reduce Rio 2016’s direct carbon footprint.

"The objective is to help farmers produce more with less and increase yield through advanced and more-sustainable agricultural practices -- all while contributing to one of Rio 2016's most important sustainability goals," Welles Pascoal, president of Dow AgroSciences Brazil, said. "This project is fully aligned with Dow AgroSciences' mission to put science at work to address the needs of an ever-growing world through innovative technologies for crop protection, seeds and biotechnology."

"Agriculture plays a key role in the Brazilian economy and is also one of the largest sources of (greenhouse gas) emissions; therefore, the opportunities to implement more-sustainable practices are countless," Tânia Braga, head of sustainability and legacy for the Rio 2016 Organizing Committee, said.

"The carbon-mitigation program implemented by Dow and its partners is one of the key sustainability legacies of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The way we are collectively working to influence the entire value chain will bring great benefits for Brazil long after the Games are over."