Soil Management

As part of our commitment to People, Planet and Performance, Mars Sustainable Solutions is actively working to develop programs and business models which lead to healthier soil conditions for growing agriculture supplies. Our earliest programs are around soil management for cocoa farmers.

Composting

Composting is a way of returning vital organic nutrients to the soil, and help with disease and pest management for the trees.  It also helps mitigate the need for chemical and non-ecologically sound chemical based fertilizers.

Other Benefits of composting:

1. Uses organic material to return nutrients to the soil
2. Prevents chemical leaching into ground water as occurs with some fertilizers
3. Less PNK run-off into rivers and streams, helping mitigate toxic algal blooms
4. Helps farmers manage costs as compared to fluctuating fertilizer prices (as they are directly correlated with oil prices)

For four years Mars Symbioscience has engaged in activities in Indonesia to support sustainable soil management. Some of these include.

• Developed a patent-pending Pod Chopper, which is easily maneuverable in muddy and un-even terrain which can develop compost.
• Engage(d) with farmer co-operatives to train farmers on the benefits of composting
• Developing service business models for composting

Learn more about the cocoa sustainability efforts at Mars on our corporate site.