LIMBUA can offer macadamia nuts, avocado oil and dried mangoes with Demeter certification within the scope of the certified supply chain.
What is Demeter?
Demeter stands for biodynamic agriculture. The Demeter standard builds on the requirements of organic farming and adds further criteria. These include requirements relating to farm management, soil management, biodiversity, animal welfare and the use of biodynamic preparations.
A fundamental principle of biodynamic agriculture is to view the farm as an interconnected system. Plants, animals, soil and farm cycles are considered together within this approach.
For LIMBUA, Demeter certification complements the existing certifications. It documents that the agricultural operations and processing steps covered by the certification comply with the applicable requirements of the Demeter standard.
Yarrow used to produce a biodynamic compost preparation
Demeter certification requirements
Demeter certification includes defined requirements for biodynamic farming and processing. These cover areas such as soil management, diverse agricultural structures, animal welfare and the use of biodynamic preparations.
LIMBUA macadamia nuts with Demeter certification
Smallholder farmers participating in the Demeter programme receive training on the applicable requirements and on the production and use of biodynamic preparations. LIMBUA provides the participating farms with the preparations. The required agricultural processes are also documented and reviewed as part of the certification process.
Requirements for agricultural inputs
The Demeter standard contains requirements for the selection and use of agricultural inputs. Certain synthetic chemical pesticides and highly soluble mineral fertilisers are not permitted. Instead, compost, biodynamic preparations and other methods permitted under organic farming standards are used in accordance with the applicable guidelines.
The certification confirms compliance with the applicable production requirements. However, it does not constitute a general guarantee that products are entirely free from all unintended residues.
Storage of biodynamic preparations
Demeter as a complement to organic certification
Teamwork for certification
Demeter certification was the result of coordinated cooperation between several LIMBUA departments. The LIMBUA Nursery was involved in the preparations. The Field Team supported the smallholder farmers in implementing and documenting the requirements. The Demeter & Special Projects Department coordinated the introduction and application of the biodynamic measures.
Demeter certification complements LIMBUA’s other organic certifications and expands the range available to customers seeking products from a correspondingly certified supply chain. As the world’s first Demeter-certified mixed-culture smallholder project, LIMBUA combines the requirements of the standard with the existing agricultural structures of the participating smallholder farmers.
