Agreement provides for the recovery of the properties affected by the collapse of the Fundão dam
The Renova Foundation and Emater-MG signed, this Monday (12/19), a contract to provide services for the recovery of the properties affected by the collapse of the Fundão dam, owned by Samarco Mineração, in November 2015.
The contract, amounting to 806,000 BRL, provides a diagnosis made by Emater-MG of about 300 properties impacted in the municipalities of Mariana, Ponte Nova, Barra Longa and Rio Doce. There will also be created a socioeconomic and environmental compliance plan for these properties. The contract period is eight months.
According to the manager of the Innovation and Environmental Technology Division of Emater-MG, João Carlos Guimarães, the diagnosis will be performed using a tool known as ISA (Sustainability Indicators of Agroecosystems), used by the company together with the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR). “Based on this diagnosis, we will present a mitigation and recovery plan for the properties. We will also perform the Environmental Productive Zoning (ZAP) of four river sub-basins, between the Fundão dam and the Candonga dam”, he said.
According to the Emater-MG manager, the company is also developing a proposal to provide technical assistance to producers for a period of eight years. “The implementation of the mitigation plans, which will be created for the property, will need technical support. We are already working on a technical assistance proposal, to be discussed with the Renova Foundation starting in January and, by March next year, we should sign a second service provision contract, “he said.
The CEO of the Renova Foundation, Roberto Waack said that one of the most important aspects of working with Emater-MG is the creation of actions for integrated land use and its interaction with the river. “The actions for forest restoration and the recovery of springs need to be integrated with agricultural production. The main objective is to integrate production with conservation and generate of social, economic and environmental benefits for all, “he said.
According to Roberto Waack, the first results of the work are almost immediate. “Depending on the cultivation, we should already see results in the first year that will continue to grow over time. In two to three years we will have this model consolidated in various properties. However, for the properties involving the planting of forests, this period is a little longer, “he said.
The CEO of Emater-MG, Glenio Martins, emphasized that the company has already carried out a study on the economic losses right after the dam collapse, in partnership with the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa). “We are now working to present solutions and new possibilities to have producers in the region increase their agricultural productivity rates, in a short timeframe”.
Signing of the contract between the Renova Foundation and Emater-MG for the recovery of the properties affected by the collapse of the Fundão dam. | Photo: Alexandre Soares / Emater-MG
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Emater-MG was founded in 1948 and is present in about 790 municipalities. It is a component of the State Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Water Supply of the government of Minas Gerais and responsible for serving approximately 400,000 farmers. Its mission is to promote sustainable development through technical assistance and rural extension, ensuring the improvement of quality of life of the society of this state. To learn more, visit the Emater-MG website.