Production methods and Organic Agriculture

Welcome to my final post already! As the name, this post will be about Organic Agriculture. However, first I will give you a summary of the production methods in Honduras for Aloe vera.

Summary of Production methods

First the healthiest shoots are selected and taken from the mother plant. They are put into bags so the plants can develop. Once they have their own rooting system, the Aloe vera plants are planted in the ground, which is minimally tillage and spread with organic fertilizer. The plants are irrigated by a drip irrigation system. The harvesting of Aloe vera happens in dry season or summer. The leaves and stems are cut of at the base of the plant, which is done by hand. Once the harvest is carried out of the field, it is transported to a soap producing company. Here the Aloe vera is washed, removed from its skin, with just leaving the gel. This gel is used in the company’s soaps.

Organic Agriculture

Are there examples of organic production for Aloe vera?

Yes, there are. I investigated Aloe vera cultivation in Honduras, which is already an example itself. In Honduras organic fertilizer and no pesticides are used.

A second example is the cultivation in the Canary Islands. According to Atlantia, it grows in an optimal environment that contains a high amount of active ingredients and minerals in a natural way. [Altantia] The plants from the Canaries are organically grown and is even awarded by the Regulatory Council for Organic Farming.

Figure 11: Atlantia's pure Aloe vera gel

 Possible markets for the organically produced Aloe vera

Major markets already are Australia, US and Europe. However, personally I think Asia could be a possible market too. Or rich oil states and countries such as The United Arad Emirates.