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WHAT IS IT
Brazil is the world's largest exporter of tobacco, generating approximately R$12 billion in foreign exchange for the country. Tobacco production in Brazil is predominantly carried out by family farming, with approximately 129,000 families involved in properties with an average size of 2.8 hectares. These families depend heavily on tobacco cultivation, which represents about 52% of their annual income.
To ensure that these families have decent working conditions and can sustainably manage their properties, Philip Morris Brazil implemented the "Water Protector" project in partnership with the National Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA). This project is part of the Water Producer Program, created by ANA to encourage water conservation practices among rural producers.
The Program uses the concept of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) as a tool to encourage producer participation. Through this program, producers receive technical and financial support to implement initiatives that benefit both the production on their properties and the availability and quality of water in the watershed.
This innovative approach combines the maintenance of conserved areas with profitable activities, aligning environmental, scientific, social, and economic interests. The main objective is to guarantee access to quality water for the local community.
In the "Water Protector" project, Philip Morris Brazil focuses its efforts on protecting river springs on rural properties in the city of Vera Cruz, in Rio Grande do Sul. The initiative involves 103 registered producers, who play a fundamental role in preserving a rural area of 224 hectares, where 129 springs have been cataloged.
Furthermore, the company is also involved in the restoration of seven sub-sections of the Pardinho River in Santa Cruz do Sul (RS), which supplies Lago Dourado, the main source of water for the municipality. This action is part of the Pardo River Hydrographic Basin plan and is carried out in partnership with organizations focused on environmental protection, such as the Association for the Management of Water Resources of the Pardo River Hydrographic Basin (Agepardo) and the Management Committee of this basin.
In addition to the water aspect, the project also includes biodiversity monitoring. 564 plant species were recorded, including seven endangered tree species and an endemic bromeliad, as well as 224 animal species, such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and bees.
RESULTS AND OBJECTIVES
The Water Protector project, developed since 2011 in the municipality of Vera Cruz, Rio Grande do Sul, encourages the adoption of good water and soil conservation practices in the Arroio Andréas Hydrographic Sub-basin, within the Rio Pardo basin. With the participation of 103 rural producers, the project protects an area of 224 hectares, where 129 springs have been cataloged. It is the first project in the state to be recognized by the National Water Agency (ANA) as a Water Producer.
Water analyses in the region show significant improvements in quality, generating benefits for society and the local economy, and reducing water treatment costs. In 2016, the project received the 1st Good Practices Award from the Federation of Associations of Municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul (FAMURS).
The project proved its importance in addressing extreme events, such as the drought that affected the region for almost five years. Since its implementation, the water intake flow in the Andreas Stream has increased from 48 L/s to 95 L/s, even during the dry season, preventing water rationing. Furthermore, after the intense rains of May 2024, analyses demonstrated that the conservation of riparian forests in the program areas helped maintain watercourses in their natural beds, highlighting the importance of restoring natural resources to mitigate the impact of climate change.
SDGs
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