Socio-Environmental Impacts of Certifica Minas Café Program on Coffee Plantations in Southern Minas Gerais

Abstract

The Certifica Minas Café (Minas Coffee Certification) is the only public program in Brazil for coffee plantation certification. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the environmental and social impacts, as well as the best production practices on the properties that adopted the Certifica Minas Café certification program. The research sampled 46 certified properties, which were evaluated in the years 2013 and 2015, based on the same criteria used in the official audits of the program. The results demonstrate that certified properties tend to show significant improvements in the criteria for property management and capacity building of rural workers. On the other hand, certification adoption did not show significant changes in traceability and environmental responsibility despite the reduction of agrochemical pollution found on certified farms. The research also pointed out the challenges faced by program managers. However, we affirm that the Minas Gerais certification program is helpful, but adjustments are necessary to meet the objectives of sustainable coffee production.