Ibis Wellness Inc.

St. Andrew, Barbados

An Overview Of Our Solution

The average age of farmers in Barbados and the Caribbean is 65 years. There is also another growing concern around the high unemployment rate amongst the youth in the region.Encouraging the younger demographic to become involve in the agricultural sector using sustainable methods is the key to resolving these two issues simultaneously. One such sustainable method is the implementation of permacultural practices for the production of produce.This method allows both plant and soil biodiversity by focusing on inter cropping and utilizing the roles of plants which are usually deemed as weeds in conventional farming.This method of farming also allows farmers to have more than one income source by providing produce for both the food ,herbal and/or skincare industry.

Who is this solution impacting?

Community Type

Rural

Organization type

Other

Ecosystem (select all that apply)

Forests

Grasslands

Population impacted

11% of the unemployed youth in Barbados

Size of agricultural area

2 acres or less utilize by each farmer

Production quantity

approximately 700 kilo

People employed

currently3 indirectly 4

Describe your solution

The production of herbs and other plants for the distillation of hydrosols and essential oils using permacultural methods provides another income source for the small to medium size farmer.This can be simply done by planting these herbs around the borders of the food crops, with out decreasing the surface area set aside for the growth of food crops. Herbs also serve as natural pesticides as well as create a micro climate within the beds. This helps to increases the amount of water retained in the soil. Another positive is that little to no money would be spent on purchasing of commercial pesticides.This has been proven by the implementation of these same practices on our farm through testing plots .

Describe your implementation

The practice of permaculture and organic methods is relatively new in the region.The aim of the project is to attract young agripreneurs who have gone through some training in such methods.We have also implemented these methods on our farm to be like a shining example for other farmers and agricultural enthusiast to follow. - Specific activities and/or specifically what your solution does to address the identified problems above in the Context Analysis section - How you ensured your solution was adopted and promoted change in human activities - Enabling conditions - Key success factors - Any obstacles and how you overcame them

External connections

As one of the YAP finalist in 2016 I was graciously awarded funding by the FAO based in the Caribbean .This has allowed me to bring my idea into fruition more quickly. I was also afforded a wonderful mentorship and coaching program through YPARD which provides guidance and support through this venture over a period of one year.

What is the environmental or ecological challenge you are targeting with your solution?

In Barbados some of the contributing factors which led to the decrease in biodiversity of flora on the island was the heavy concentration on sugar production from sugar cane,as well as the construction boom in real estate developments.To assist in revitalizing the diversity of flora on the island and to create other income streams for farmers utilizing sustainable methods ,this project is proposing the production of raw materials for the green beauty industry through permacultural methods .Another benefit of engaging farmers in this type of initiative is that it gives new life to the sector on the island which will attract a younger demographic to the profession.

Describe the context in which you are operating

In Barbados and the Caribbean there is a decline in the number of youth actively involved in the agricultural sector.Simultaneously the youth account for a high percentage of unemployment throughout the region .The aim of the project is to get the younger generation interested in the the agricultural sector by utilizing new sustainable methods that would help combat issues of water scarcity and poor quality of soil that make the sector seem daunting.
The utilization of organically grown herbs and spices for the production of hydrosols and essential oils is the project propose to assist in the alleviation of the current issues mentioned.

How did you impact natural resource use and greenhouse gas emissions?

The utilization of the permacultural methods has shown that a small to medium size farmer can diversify their income stream with out having to choose one crop over the other.These practices also allow a wider variety of indigenous plants to reappear into the environment.Some of these plants have economical value and can help compliment the offerings /produce a farmer has to sell.

Language(s)

English

Water

In permaculture there is the practice of utilizing water to the fullest extent through water harvesting and swales to name a few.This helps to replenish the earth with water and keep it from finding the quickiest route back to the sea.Also because chemical pesticides are not utilized in permaculture there is less contamination of the water resources from run offs from these farm

Economic/Sustainable Development

Farmers have a diversify source of income. Also their profits increase due to decrease in utilization of chemical pesticides.

Climate

Due to intercropping of different plants which grow at different heights small micro climates are created .This helps to retain more water in the soil.

Sustainability

As a YAP finalist the initial capital for this project was grant funded.The aim of the project though is to generate income through sales of the hydrosols and essential oils from the raw materials as well as investment from private investors to increase production of these products.

Return on investment

As stated previously, the practice of permacultural methods allows revenues to be generated in two avenues. It stimulates the provision of more organic food and other ingenuous and local plants and herbs for other purposes. Generation of revenue from the production of hydrosols and essentials is also possible by targeting the wellness and spa industry.T

How could we successfully replicate this solution elsewhere?

Through the training of farmers and relevant key holders in the manufacturing of body products this synergy between farmer and producer can be easily recreated. Training for the farmer should be done in terms of providing him with the necessary tools to implement permacultural practices into their farm. In terms of the producers of body products training needs to be provided in the form of understanding the distillation process and how to use the equipment. This would roughly take an investment of US$15,000- $25,000 to fully prepare both parties for this initiative.

Overview