Agritourism

Tropical agriculture and Organic farming are practiced among the rustic and urban folks in Trindad and Tobago. Most of the farmers are land owners.

While others lease land from the government. these land are cultivated with Cocoa, Coffee, Nutmeg, Tonca beans, Bananas, Citrus, Coconuts, Fruits, Sugar cane and Root crops in eight or more hectares. There are a number of farmers who are engage in Organic farming.

Trinidad and Tobago produces a renown quality Cocoa beans which are blended with other beans from around the world. We can boast about our Cocoa beans as the best quality worldwide. When blended, they make the finest Chocolates.

There are several large plantations of Coconuts on the east and south west coast of Trinidad. Tobago also has large estates of coconuts. The trees grow very well along the coastal shores when they are wash ashore. The young nuts provide refreshing drinks after jogging or mild stomach ailments.

During the dry season there is an abundance of fruits such as Citrus and Mangoes of various qualities. A large amount of Mangoes goes to waste since the market cannot obsorb all the fruits that are available. Green Mangoes are use by the Asian community to make Condiments and Apetizers which goes well with their menus. Chataigne is closely related to breadfruit the leaves, flowers and fruits are similar except that Chataigne have soft spikes on the skin and seeds inside. the Breadfruit is smooth and without seeds. when the fruit is green it is use to make a dish called Talkari and when it is ripe the seeds are removed the skin washed and boiled in water.

Harvesting of Cocoa are done by two persons or more persons depending on the sizes of estates. Bamboo rods and picking knifes or cutlasses are used depending on the height of the trees. The pods when picked would be gathered into heaps. Then they would be cracked open with sharp cutlasses. The beans are then removed from the cracked pods and placed into baskets. When the baskets are fill they are place in bags to be tote to sweat boxes and cover with banana leaves for three days. The sweat beans are taken out to be sun dry in wooden built driers at the top of dwelling houses .The beans are spread thinly in the driers, the feet is use to make rows and remove gums from the beans. When the beans are dried they are heaped up and spread thickly. Water mixed with crush ochro leaves are sprinkle on the beans to be dance with the feet to produce a shine ,then spread out to dry before bagging and marketing.

Christophene : Christophene is a green vegetable that bear from a vine. It grow well in valleys and shaded areas in cocoa plantations. Along the Blanchisseuse/Arima main road they are grown in large quantities on the sloping hills. This vegetable is use in chow mien a favorite Chinese and other vegetarian menus.

Telephone: 868-645-3025

e-mail:tacaribe@tstt.net.tt