Ever wonder how organic vegetables are grown and what’s the difference organic farming and conventional farming? On an invitation by Alu Alu Kitchen, we visited their sister farm at Kinarut and see for ourselves how organic vegetables are grown.
This Farm at Kinarut is a sister farm of Alu Alu Kitchen and their produce is marketed under the name Green-OS. The farm is around 7 hectares and their produce can be found around supermarkets around Kota Kinabalu. We were briefed on the farm’s background and how the produce is qualified as organic. The farm is split into a different plot and each worker is responsible for their own plot of land.
Germination is carried out at the nursery. Germination is the process of seeds developing into new plants. First, environmental conditions must trigger the seed to grow. Usually, this is determined by how deep the seed is planted, water availability, and temperature.
Several factors influence if, and how, seeds germinate. The most important factors are water availability, temperature, and sunlight.
What is organic Farm?
To qualify as an organic farm, no pesticides and chemical fertilizer should be used. This presents a big challenge as its hard to control pest without using pesticides. A pest outbreak at the farm can cause the production to halt for few weeks. Insects traps are used to minimize the spreading pest.
The farm also makes their own compost using microbes from the forest to cultivates healthy bacteria to break down the nutrients needed by the plants. The process is long and time-consuming.
The farm is certified organic by Department of Agriculture Sabah
The common misconception about organic produce is that there should be wormholes on it and the produce are usually much smaller than produce from conventional farming. With proper fertilization program and care on the produce, A organic farm can produce good and fresh vegetables and greens. A lot of money is invested into the soil (compost) and greenhouse to ensure the vegetables can be grown whole year round and not affected by the weather. With the ever-changing climate, a long rainy season or a dry season can easily affect the quality and volume of production.
The vegetables are harvested 5 am in the morning every day and delivered to all supermarkets by noon.
Greenhouse with proper shade ensures that it won’t be too wet and too much sun. A controlled environment makes it easier to produce high quality and consistent vegetables.
The farm also raised organic chicken for the meat and eggs
Alu Alu Kitchen
Alu Alu kitchen as the forefront of organic farm promotes the concept of selling only produce from their own farms. The idea is the foods should be safe and free from harmful chemicals. The vegetables, fish, and seafood are delivered fresh every day to Alu Alu Kitchen fresh and the challenge is for the chef to make it into a delicious and healthy food for the customer
Why Eat Organic Produce
Before the visit to the farm, we didn’t understand why organic produce has to be more expensive than regular produce when they basically look the same. After see for ourselves, we understand that a lot more effort is needed to ensure that the food is safe from harmful chemicals and pesticides. The process of growing organic produce is labor-intensive and time-consuming. It’s only right when we pay the right price for the farmer and appreciate the superior produce from them.
While everyone can claim that their produce is organic and free from harmful chemical, it is important to know which farm the produce from. Organic Certification from Department of Agriculture is one way to know the farm is producing organic produce or you can also take a visit to the farm and see how the produce is being grown. It is only right when we think about where our food from as we are what we eat. There is no way to differentiate a organic produce and regular produce using pesticides by just looking at it, you will only taste the difference after you eat it. Once you taste the real taste of fresh vegetables, you will sure enjoy eating your greens again.
Joanne Lee
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