The rural community of Laranjeiras, located in the municipality of São Luís (MA), is considered to have a high level of vulnerability and is situated near two Vale operations: the Carajás Railway (EFC) and the power transmission line (Linhão) that supplies energy to the port area. This community led a community engagement project in partnership with Vale. Through active listening conducted as part of the Community Relationship Plan (CRP), the community identified the need for a composting yard to supply fertilizer for the continuation of family farming already practiced in the area. 

The demand arose due to the high cost of purchasing fertilizer for family farmers. The so-called “productive backyards,” where vegetables, roots, and grains are cultivated, are primarily intended for the community’s subsistence in a sustainable manner, with only surplus production being sold. The community pointed out that, in addition to being expensive for their own consumption, the income from selling the surplus is low. In other words, without enough fertilizer, they cannot produce the necessary quantity to generate a meaningful surplus that would justify the cost of fertilizer. As a result, the São Luís Agricultural Hub Project was developed, with Vale’s investment aimed at strengthening the community and building a Sustainable Composting Yard in the Laranjeiras Community. The project began in December 2023 and was completed in September 2024. 

The project was divided into two phases: the first involved training families in compost production and business plan management, enabling them to maintain the composting yard independently. The second phase was the construction of the composting yard infrastructure. 

To ensure the yard’s operation, Vale facilitated a partnership between the Laranjeiras community association and the Maranhão Grain Terminal (Tegram), located at the Port of Itaqui, to redirect part of their discarded waste—about two tons of organic material per month—for composting. This partnership became strategic for the project, as Tegram had been disposing of this material in local landfills, wasting it, while the community could reuse it sustainably for composting. The waste consists mainly of soybeans, corn, soybean meal, and cornmeal—materials rich in nutrients for composting. Initially, the partnership was mediated by Vale’s team, which also trained the community to independently manage this and other future partnerships. As a result, with the composting yard now operational, the community is already exploring initiatives with other potential partners, such as companies in the nearby industrial area. 

The delivery of the composting yard contributes to the production of high-quality fertilizer, opening the possibility for the community to obtain organic product certification. It also strengthens community bonds within the Laranjeiras settlement and enhances the relationship with Vale, making it more attentive to local needs. 

In total, around 30 producers from Laranjeiras and surrounding areas were supported. Notable outcomes include the creation of a Business Plan, completion of training sessions with engaged farmers, installation of an electrical grid, use of photovoltaic energy at the yard, construction of the Composting Yard, and the strengthening of Vale’s relationship with the community. 

The initial business plan focuses on producing compost for the community’s own use. However, since they also sell surplus crops such as corn, the fertilizer helps strengthen the entire value chain and supports increased commercialization. Another aspect of the business plan is the potential future sale of surplus compost, as the community has identified other farms in the region that also need this type of product.