Sustainable activities in the agriculture segment

The agricultural sector is undergoing a digital transformation. Data on soil conditions, water requirements and plant growth obtained from agricultural machinery or satellites has long since helped to calculate the optimum amount of fertiliser needed and to increase yields per hectare. BayWa subsidiary FarmFacts has now developed an interoperable system for this purpose: NEXT Farming helps farmers collect the right data, use it intelligently and thus optimize processes on the farm as well as in the field. The system has a modular design and can be adjusted according to farm size and cultivation method. In 2020, BayWa also launched sales of its Dino agricultural weeding robot, which is controlled via satellite navigation, being particularly gentle on the soil and low in pesticides by combating weeds mechanically. 

Humus is in many aspects a valuable ecological resource as an important carbon storage, but also as protection against changing environmental conditions, such as increased dry periods or heavy precipitation. In addition, humus-rich soils improve biodiversity and the water balance. That is why the BayWa subsidiary FarmFacts has launched the Climate Farmer Initiative (ICL). The participating farmers agree to use farming systems that promote the humus content in the soil and biodiversity – and are financially rewarded for it this. Local authorities, companies or individuals become sponsors and receive documentation proving the farmers’ performance of the contract. Soil samples are taken to measure humus content to accompany the cultivation agreement – at the start and again after three years. Sampling is GPS-controlled and digitally logged in the field according to an audited process.  

Increasing heat waves and drought pose major challenges for farmers, as they lead to global yield losses and require more artificial irrigation. With the help of "VariableRain", an application from BayWa, farmers can keep an eye on the individual water requirements of their crops and control the efficient use of water in a targeted manner. This is made possible using satellite data to create irrigation maps. The smart service saves water, energy and time and gives the plant exactly the amount of water it needs. 

Organic production methods, regionality and fair production conditions are an important component for future-oriented agriculture. BayWa Agrar meets the growing demand for organically produced products with a fully comprehensive range of products for organic farming, from suitable seeds and organic fertilizers to the right technology. In addition to the stationary trade, organic farmers also have access to the BayWa Portal with around 500 selected products from the areas of animal husbandry, soil fertility or seeds. Organic products are recorded at five locations and organic farmers are supported in marketing their products. In addition, BayWa has five Key Account Managers Öko, who advise farmers on crop cultivation on organic farms as well as on conventional farms that are about to embark on new paths. 

Global demand for soy has increased significantly in recent years and continues to do so. To make global soy supply chains more sustainable, subsidiary Cefetra developed the Certified Responsible Soya (CRS) Standard in 2008. Farmers seeking certification under the CRS standard must meet a wide range of sustainability requirements that include environmental and social aspects as well as good agricultural practices. To prevent the global clearing of forest land for soybean cultivation and ensure deforestation-free production, the CRS standard also includes a zero deforestation and zero conversion criteria. Large, medium and small sized farms around the world can be certified according to CRS. 

Cefetra Group B.V. is also a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Three companies within the group are (chain of custody) certified to deliver RSPO certified material: Cefetra B.V., Cefetra Feed Service B.V. and Cefetra Ltd. The latter has an Ecovadis silver medal status. As such, these companies deliver sustainable palm kernel (derivatives) to European customers. Cefetra Feed Service B.V. has been member since 2006, Cefetra B.V. is certified since 2020 and Cefetra Ltd since 2021. 

The BayWa Global Produce subsidiary T&G Global Limited joined the international and cross-sector breeding program "Hot Climate Programme" as a commercial partner in 2019. The aim of the program is to develop apple and pear varieties that are adapted to growing regions with high temperatures. As a result of climate change, it is becoming increasingly important for fruit growers to cultivate plants that can continue to produce high yields and quality despite dry and hot climates. In addition, plant varieties require less fertilizer and water. In 2020, T&G launched the marketing of the first climate change-resistant apple, named "HOT84A1". 

Fruit tastes best and contains most vitamins when it is harvested ripe. However, some exotic fruits are exported just ripening due to the long transport routes by ship and only then ripened at the destination. 

BayWa Global Produce has invested in the innovative Softripe® technology at various sites in the Netherlands and the UK. The technology works with artificial intelligence and ripens avocados and mangoes with pinpoint accuracy. It monitors the atmosphere and individually adjusts it to the fruits’ metabolic processes. This ensures better quality and a longer shelf life without the use of additives. As a result, there is less loss of food. The ripening period is also shorter and less energy is needed.

agromed Austria GmbH, a subsidiary of RWA, uses wood to make healthy, natural and sustainable animal feed. Specifically, the company uses the natural ingredient lignocellulose, which animals need for a number of reasons, including a healthy digestive and immune system. The natural fibers for the products are harvested from untreated, freshly cut wood from sustainably managed forests in Europe – primarily Germany – that have been certified in line with the GMP+ and PEFC standards.

Whether tractors, forage harvesters or sowing technology: customers can find a broad range of second-hand agricultural machinery from various manufac turers on the BayWa Börse platform. BayWa diagnoses, repairs and recon ditions the machines – which means they can be re-marketed. BayWa’s second-hand machinery business extends the product life-cycle of agricultur al equipment. The machines largely come from BayWa’s sales territory – if, for example, a customer buys a new machine, BayWa will, on request, take the old machine in trade-in for it. The market is however not only restricted to Germany, Austria and Switzerland – BayWa supplies second-hand agricultural 
machinery around the world.