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The most important aspect of gebana Brasil's work is direct contact with the farmers. Frequent visits to the farmers make it possible to gain an understanding of particular concerns and to develop joint solutions, which builds trust.
The cooperation with producers is carried out on the basis of cultivation contracts for one or more years. gebana Brasil provides advice on organic methods of cultivation and organises and finances seeds, fertilisers and biological pest control for the producers. In return, the producers commit themselves to deliver their crops and to comply with the terms and conditions.
In August, during the Brazilian winter, contracts with farmers' associations, cooperatives and individual farmers are renewed, special developments are discussed and requirements for seeds and other means of production are identified.
In September/October, the seeds, which have been checked to be GMO free, will be delivered and all production data necessary for the organic certification will be collected. Sowings will be in October and November, often by hand. Until the harvest in March/April, questions regarding the cultivation will be to the fore. The consultants are constantly out on business, and often the questions don't only concern soya, but also manioc, wheat, maize, bananas, pineapples, loans and the children's education. The weeding causes most of the work. This, however, benefits the small farmers with their neighbourly and family based workforce. Big farmers find it difficult to organise weed control and there is a greater temptation to use unfair methods.
In March/April, when the soya is ready, the wish for enough rain is interchanged with worry about too much rain. The harvest takes places at the most preferable time, often by hand or with a hired combine harvester, which needs to be cleaned extremely well to avoid any contamination with genetically modified soya.
The cultivation of soya is the most important source of income for the region's farmers. gebana pays between 40 and 100% above the local market price for organic soya beans (in 2006, the price for a 60 kg sack was between15.5 USD (fodder quality) and 19 USD (Demeter quality)). In order to avoid a high dependency on soya, many other products are planted for personal consumption and the local market. gebana Brasil has the objective to find a market for other "cash-crops" apart from soya.
Following the harvest, a large meeting is held, which is usually also attended by customers from Europe. gebana Brasil seeks to promote mutual trust and transparency and to work with both farmers and customers to set the future course.
Further Information about gebana Brasil | 
