Barlow Organic Farm

The land is fenced on all 4 sides with a gate that can be accessed through the Antoinette Road. It contains a 420 sq m polytunnel for protected farming (note that the cultivation is done on the soil and this is not a hydroponic structure).

A shed for storage and watch keeping is planned for the future. It will contain the necessary essential facilities (electricity, water, toilets and a small kitchen).

A pond and canals have been dug to channel and store rain water.

A bore hole is also needed for irrigation of the cultivation.

Cultivars and the organic practices

As per organic farming principles multi-cropping is being practiced since Nov 2017. Multi-cropping is defined as growing several crops on the same field in the same year. Not only does it enrich the soil and help in pest management but it can also result in increased yields.

Most of vegetables are being grown:

Chili, Tomatoes, Brinjal (aubergine) , Peas, colocasia or taro root (Arouille / Arvi), Violet (Kanda), cabbage, okra, manioc, carrots.

Cauliflower, Coriander, Green/French beans, Maize, Lettuce, beet roots, Patisson (Custard marrow), oriental greens (petsai, bok choi, tom pouce), radish.

Ground nuts, Cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin (kaddu), bitter gourd (karela).

Crop rotation keeps the soil healthy and helps to manage the pests. No chemicals are used as fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides or fungicides. We use organic fertilizers such as compost, manure as well as organic solutions with beneficial bacteria.

A number of fruit trees have also been cultivated so as to host the predators of certain harmful pests which are also controlled using organic methods: application of neem oil, use of traps and pheromones.