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Eliminating Barriers For Progress
Meet Sebastian Rojas, farmer liaison officer at Natural Habitats. As a child he spent all his summer holidays at his grandparents’ farm. He loved being out in the field, helping his grandfather cultivate the organic fruit orchards. Already from a young age he was imbued with the extensive traditional knowledge that farmers in Ecuador use to work their land. He also experienced how farmer communities are deprived of government services and proper schooling, halting development and innovation. Now, while still supporting his grandfather, he works to eliminate barriers for progress in palm cultivation.
Two years ago, after completing his education in Europe, Sebastian went back to his birthplace. He is now one of the employees who ensures that Palm Done Right delivers on its mission and the promise to produce palm oil that is organic, deforestation-free, wildlife friendly, fair & social. Every day he is out in the field visiting and educating farmers in order to help them understand the importance of farming differently. Farming in a way that relinquishes conventional methods and makes the transition to organic and sustainable production practices. “Changing minds isn’t always easy”, says Sebastian. “Sustainable agriculture is a new concept for farmers that are used to a fixed way of working. In order to change their habits, farmers need to really commit to sustainable practices. And we…
