Frequently asked questions
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What is the intention of this website?
The Caribbean Organics Network intends to create a new way for suppliers
from the CARICOM to export their produce all over the world without having
to loose the major profits to agents. Furthermore it shall allow farmers
to have easier access to required input (such as organic pesticides).
The Network will increase the communication between those who are one
step further and see the potential of organic growth. CaribbeanOrganics.net
is intended to be a Meeting platform for Buyers and Sellers of organic
produce.
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What is our mission?
ECO Project Ltd intends to provide the users of this website with all
the necessary input and News concerning organic farming that is needed
to improve the trade as well as accelerate the certification process.
Through our previous work in the field of organic farming we can also
help those who are trying to need consultancy in all environmental aspects
or support in a funding application.
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What do we offer?
We offer all users a variety of information and interesting links. To
our members we offer a section where buyers and sellers can meet and exchange
either by searching in the database directly or by posting questions or
special offers in the forum.
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How to become a member?
For information on the membership, please view the membership Info page
(Farmers 75 $US, Business & NGO 250 $US, Governmental/Academic Institution
350 $US, International Agency 400 $US). If you wish to register, simply
download the registration form from the registrations page, and send the
completed form to Registration@caribbeanOrganics.net.
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For how long is my membership valid? Do I have
to write a cancellation if I do not wish to be a member for another year?
The membership is valid for one year. After this your log-in data automatically
expires. If you wish to continue to use our services, please refresh your
product information (update possible at anytime your offers/ demands change!!!)
if necessary (in the Trade for Buyers or Trade for Sellers Section) and
pay the membership fee applying to your kind of organisation.
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What is the forum to be used for?
The Forum is supposed to help the community exchange ideas and find answers
to questions that are related to organic farming. The Forum can also be
used to place special short-term offers that are not part of the regular
product/demand description of a member.
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How will the trade work?
In the Trade Sections, buyers and sellers are listed in eight
different categories (each member can be placed in different categories).
By filling out the Detailed Product Description Form, the Buyer/ Seller
can define, what produce or services she/he offers/is looking for. Through
the search engine of your browser, you can find the product you are searching
for and contact the member directly.
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What is organic?
"Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which
promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological
cycles, and soil biological activity. It emphasises the use of management
practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account
that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished
by using, where possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods,
as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfil any specific function
within the system." (FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission, 1999)
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Why go organic? A handful of good reasons…
Organic food tastes better than chemically grown produce.
Organic produce helps to conserve and keep the water resources clean.
Organic farming is done in respect of the nature (no synthetic chemical
inputs).
Organic produce is said to reduce the risk of certain diseases.
Organic farming helps to keep the soil healthy by using intercropping
and avoiding chemicals.
How can you claim organic if there is no certification
in the Caribbean yet (apart from Jamaica)?
“Certified organic products are those which have been produced,
stored, processed, handled and marketed in accordance with precise technical
specifications (standards) and certified as "organic" by a certification
body.” (FAO.org)
BUT: Apart from Jamaica, Caribbean countries do not yet
have certification.
Though, there are several basic ideas to which the term organic refers.
Those are for example:
“To work compatibly with natural cycles and living systems through
the soil, plants and animals in the entire production system”
“To maintain and increase long-term fertility and biological activity
of soils using locally adapted cultural, biological and mechanical methods
as opposed to reliance on inputs.”
“To create a harmonious balance between crop production and animal
husbandry”
“To utilize biodegradable, recyclable and recycled packaging materials
“Organic farming methods conserve and grow soil, maintain water
quality and use water efficiently and responsibly.”
“The deliberate use or negligent introduction of genetically engineered
organisms or their derivatives to organic farming systems or products
is prohibited. This shall include animals, seed, propagation material,
and farm inputs such as fertilizers, soil conditioners, vaccines or crop
protection materials.”
(Taken from the IFOAM Basic Standards 2002.These basic standards can
be viewed under the link: http://www.ifoam.org/standard/norms/cover.html)
It is up to the sellers of any product to prove to any buyer the status
of their certification. Eco Project ltd is not liable for any false information
given.
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What does FAO mean?
The FAO is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
“The FAO leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both
developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where
all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy.
FAO is also a source of knowledge and information. We help developing
countries and countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture,
forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all.”
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What does CARTF mean?
CARTF is the CARIFORUM Agribusiness Research & Training Fund. “CARTF
is a fund for the encouragement and support of agribusiness controlled
research and training (R&T) for Caribbean agriculture.”
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What does CARICOM mean?
CARICOM is the CARIbbean COMmunity; "To provide dynamic leadership
and service, in partnership with Community institutions and Groups, toward
the attainment of a viable, internationally competitive and sustainable
Community, with improved quality of life for all." Members of the
CARICOM are: Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica,
Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and
Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago.
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What does IFOAM mean?
IFOAM is the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements.
“IFOAM's mission is leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement
in its full diversity. Our goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically,
socially and economically sound systems that are based on the principles
of Organic Agriculture.”
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Problem: I cannot login?
Please write us an email to support@CaribbeanOrganics.net. We will try
to find the
problem and in case, there is a mistake replace your password - send you
the updated
log-in information as quick as possible.
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Problem: I cannot download or open a file/
form.
Please try to refresh your browser, by clicking on “view”
in your task bar and then choosing refresh from the options. If this does
not work, please send us an email with your name or company details and
the file to be downloaded. We will seek to solve the problem as well as
send you the file via email if possible.
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