A new 600-square-metre demonstration garden dedicated to organic farming is being developed at the Wooton Crop Research Station, with support from SICOM Group and the Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI).
Rather than serving simply as a showcase, the plot is intended as a practical learning ground. Farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs and other professionals will be able to see how organic methods perform under local conditions and assess which practices could be introduced on their own farms. The demonstration plot already features a range of practices, including aerobic composting, vermicomposting, seedling production, intercropping and companion planting. Mulching, banana circles and rainwater harvesting are also being demonstrated.The first crops are already being grown, with coriander, cabbage, cauliflower, beans, chilli, celery, eggplant, lettuce, thyme, mint and medicinal plants among those in production.
From demonstration plot to training ground
The garden will become part of FAREI’s new Farmers’ Training School at Wooton, which is due to open in September. The school is expected to train around 200 people each year, with courses covering soil health, crop protection, composting, water management and sustainable production methods. For farmers considering a shift towards organic production, the garden is expected to provide something that classroom training cannot: the opportunity to see the techniques applied in practice.
SICOM Group’s Sustainability team first visited the site in July, together with FAREI representatives. The project is also the latest step in a wider relationship between SICOM and FAREI. SICOM has previously funded an educational video on the benefits of organic produce and hosted workshops on organic farming and rooftop gardening. The partnership has extended into community projects as well. In March, SICOM supported Autisme Maurice in establishing a small organic farm in Quatre Bornes and helped develop a home-based organic gardening programme in Montagne Blanche. Fifty beneficiaries were trained and provided with starter kits.
A focus on food security and resilience
SICOM Group CEO, Nandita Ramdewar mentioned about the initiative ties environmental sustainability to some of the country’s broader agricultural priorities.“Sustainability guides our actions every day. With the Organic Garden, we are helping to train farmers and promote practices that are more respectful of the environment. This approach is aligned with our ESG policy and national priorities: food security, skills development and agri-food resilience.”
Additionally, Dr.Madhvee Madhoo, the CEO of Farei talked about the value of the project would lie in giving farmers a place to test and understand organic techniques before applying them themselves.“For farmers, this plot will be a learning space where they can see how certain organic practices work in the field before adapting them to their own farms,” she said. She also added that the garden would also help FAREI support farmers looking to move towards more sustainable production methods.
For SICOM, the project forms part of a broader sustainability programme covering environmental initiatives, health, education, skills development and community support. The group is also a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and the United Nations Global Compact.
