Ignacio Schmolling, president of the Bolschare Group, analyzes the present and future of the company in an interview with Actualidad Económica.

The president of the Bolschare Group, Ignacio Schmolling, has given an interview to Actualidad Económica, from the newspaper El Mundo, where he shared his vision on the evolution of the agricultural sector and the key projects in which the company is immersed. One of the highlights of the conversation was the projection of Arima, an innovative technological platform recently launched by the group.

Arima, Schmolling explained, has a dual function: on the one hand, it enables real-time management and recording of all agricultural processes, facilitating future integration with the digital notebook, and on the other, it provides an accurate measurement of the environmental commitment of companies, sectors and countries. “We measure from carbon footprint to water footprint, biodiversity and social action. Our goal is to measure, report, certify and seek verification with the competent entities, helping to monetize these sustainability parameters,” he detailed.

Schmolling underlined Arima’s potential in managing CO₂ offsets through carbon credits, especially for companies and states facing tax penalties and needing to offset their emissions. “Arima is the only global tool that measures in such detail, covering direct and indirect actions,” he said.

The president revealed that Bolschare has already committed to the measurement of 22 million hectares in key territories such as South America and Africa, thanks to the extension of the land. In the Iberian Peninsula, the group has established itself as the leading operator of agricultural assets under ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria, with plans to expand into Italy, Australia and California. “We want to be leaders in agricultural asset management, demonstrating that profitability and responsibility can and should go hand in hand,” added Schmolling, stressing that Bolschare works with both large investors and small farmers to improve their productivity through advanced tools.

Schmolling also recalled the beginnings of Bolschare, founded ten years ago as a family project driven by a passion for the land and agriculture. “My father and I started with 150 hectares of super-intensive olive groves in Portugal, and we soon saw the opportunity to professionalize the sector by applying technology and a responsible methodology,” he recalled.

In addition, he mentioned other recent milestones of the group, such as agreements with companies in China for the export of agro-iberian products and the acquisition of the agricultural division of Borges. “The integration of Borges personnel has been key; we have maintained the values of our house, helping their adaptation to our way of working,” he indicated.

Finally, the president addressed the rise of agribusiness in the global economy, highlighting its strength and the growing foreign investment in the sector. “Capital has demonstrated its confidence in professionalized agriculture, which has become a secure and profitable sector on a large scale,” Schmolling reflected.

Regarding Bolschare’s strategic plans, the Chairman pointed out the value of other divisions of the group, such as Energy, Health and B-Lab, its R&D&I center, focused on promoting sports, health, sustainability and agribusiness. He also highlighted the work of the Queen of Peace Foundation, dedicated to solidarity projects, especially in the integration of people with disabilities and support for the sick through sports.

Fuente: https://www.elmundo.es/economia/2024/08/25/66bf3477e9cf4a896d8b458b.html