Anything grown or produced organically should be free of pesticides, herbicides, synthetic fertilizers or pharmaceuticals (anti-biotics/sterilizers etc.). Organic practices have a smaller footprint on ecosystems than other artificial methods of growing.

In the Caribbean, historically we grew organically with a reliance on sheep, cow and chicken manure for fertilizers. Historically, there may not have been as many of the plant and animal diseases which we see today, but still traditional and indigenous farming practices functioned to keep soils healthy and food nutritious.

 

Some of these practices have been relabelled as permaculture or agroforestry but really they are practices as old as time, when all human beings lived “closer” to the land (not just the farmers). Growing organically is an intimate component of the authentic Rastafarian way of being throughout the Caribbean.

 

There are two certified organic labels commonly seen by the consumer – the United States Department of Agriculture Organic (USDA Organic) and the European Union’s Organic. A guideline document and system for certifying inspectors has also been created by CODEX.Codex Alimentarius (Latin, meaning Food Code) “is an intergovernmental body with over 170 members, within the framework of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO)”.

 

At the regional or national level we do not have a Caribbean-relevant standard to direct organic farming or the labelling of organic food. There are several regional entities working towards developing a standard and in Barbados the Organic Growers and Consumers Association have had inspectors trained under CODEX and they are developing a regionally applicable and culturally relevant organic farming standard.

 

The organic label is misused throughout the region as many products are labelled as organic solely based on how businesses want to market themselves.

 

The good news is that none of us live too far from a farm or farmers market once we are living in the Caribbean.

 

You can always request to visit their set up and ask them questions such as: - What crops do you grow yourself?

At farmer’s markets, some farmers sell for others, so it is good to find out what farmers can attest to personally. Some people are not farmers but are selling for others, but still they should be able to tell you about the source and practices used for the produce being sold.

They should be able to answer these questions: 

What do you spray on your seedlings?

 

What do you spray on your crops?

 

What do you apply to your soil?

 

(It is best not to ask leading questions like – do you spray pesticides because most people will just say no whther it is true or not.

 

If you ask an open ended question then you can do your research on whether the chemical/potion they described is harmful)

 

Do you have problems with pests and if so what do you do?

 

Do you have problems with yield and if so do you apply anything to increase your yield?

 

Have any of your crops/animals on the farm been plagued by diseases?