Forest
garden products
Founded by the Patron
of Lanka Organics, Dr. Ranil Senanayake, The
‘Forest Garden’ programme began
as an experiment by the Neo Synthesis Research
Centre (NSRC) in Sri Lanka to reverse the
harmful effects of deforestation. Lanka Organics
has been a pioneer in the implementation of
these Analogue Forest and Forest Garden principles
in Sri Lanka.
What
is an Analogue Forest Garden?
Forest gardens are forests similar to the
natural forest of an area in structure and
ecological function but contain trees that
yield commercially viable products. These
garden models also provide microhabitat,
clean water, produce and environmental stability.
Analogue forestry is a very effective tool
in arresting biodiversity loss.
At Lanka Organics we
source almost all our products from such
Forest Gardens.These yield valuable crops
such as spices, cashew nuts, desiccated
coconut, red rice and sesame, medicinal
herbs, fruit and coffee that support the
local communities, sustain wildlife species
(including many that are on the endangered
list) and are grown by farmers who comply
with the standards of organic production.
The company has obtained
the Forest Garden Product Certification from 2008.
This label would ultimately be recognised by consumers in
the same way that organic labels are recognised
now and will help consumers realize that
not only is their purchase one the finest,
cleanest and freshest on the market, but
meaningfully they are assisting forest conservation
at the sharp end.
Analogue Forest
Gardens
The number of projects with small farmers
to develop Forest Gardens is growing fast,
and the increased income for established
Forest Garden farmers is significant.
Our
Commitment to Forest Gardens
The NSRC of Sri Lanka has, for over 20 years,
been conducting research into implementing
Forest Garden Concepts. As our principle
source of transfer technology for Analogue
Forestry Models NSRC has aided us in implementing
sustainable agriculture practices amongst
many growers.
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