Our Crops
COCOA
Understanding the genetics and sexual compatibility of cocoa planting material is an essential building block to a successful farm. Productivity can be increased by planting grafted seedlings which are high producing, yet fine flavor. Production can also be boosted by planting in higher density configurations while still maintaining the agroforestal model so critical to maintaining biodiversity while providing shade. We interplant our cocoa with plantain, teak, mahogany, madre de cacao (which is nitrogen fixing), papaya and maize.
VANILLA
We encountered wild vanilla on our farm early in its development, and quickly realized the need for its preservation, given the large-scale land clearing going on in southern Belize. Our work with the University of Florida to map clusters of wild vanilla in southern Belize and identify them using DNA techniques will go a long way towards conserving this critical species in our region.
In 2019 Corridgeree set up an in-vitro plant propagation laboratory with the assistance to the Caribbean Export Development Agency and the EU. We produce vanilla seedlings for commercial production with confirmed genetic identity, as well as providing researchers an in-country lab for further investigation into the genetics of one of the world’s most popular flavor.
We encountered wild vanilla on our farm early in its development, and quickly realized the need for its preservation, given the large-scale land clearing going on in southern Belize. Our work with the University of Florida to map clusters of wild vanilla in southern Belize and identify them using DNA techniques will go a long way towards conserving this critical species in our region.
In 2019 Corridgeree set up an in-vitro plant propagation laboratory with the assistance to the Caribbean Export Development Agency and the EU. We produce vanilla seedlings for commercial production with confirmed genetic identity, as well as providing researchers an in-country lab for further investigation into the genetics of one of the world’s most popular flavor.
VANILLA
Ecologically Sensitive Irrigation
We use drip irrigation in cocoa, which is a first in Belize, to maintain our plants over the increasingly lengthy dry seasons. Irrigation assists in breaking down the compost we continually apply to improve the microbial biome and improve soil fertility. And using drip reduces the water demand and erosion.
Produce
In our three greenhouses we grow hydroponic lettuce, basil, kale, mint as well as fresh micro-greens for restaurants and resorts. We recycle the used hydroponic water on our vanilla and cocoa plots. The greenhouses are also used to harden our vanilla plantlets.
