Our Roots
Nestled in the foothills of Trinidad’s Northern Range, alongside the Maraval river is a lush tangle of rainforest and habitat of beautiful biodiversity. Arriving at Carmel Valley Estate, one can experience a step back in history to a time when the wealth of the island came not from beneath the ground, but rather from what grew on it, through its world renowned Agrarian based economy.
Carmel Valley Estate was established in 1989. The Estate was previously known as Val de Oro (Valley of Gold) before it became part of the Gordon Grant Estates who for many decades in Trinidad’s Colonial period cultivated sugar and cocoa. Just a 30 minute drive from the Capital, Port of Spain, today the journey into Moka has transformed with high-end housing replacing much of the cocoa, coffee and citrus fields that once flourished on neighboring estates. Today, Carmel Valley Estate still stands as a distinctive integrated farming operation, including crop cultivation of cocoa, citrus, mangoes, avocados, vegetables and rabbit meat. The Estate also produces premium honey, with its first apiary established by the Johnson brothers, in 1992. The Estate has since continued to produce a significant volume of honey for the local market, earning international prestigious awards. Carmel Valley Estate was founded out of a passion for agriculture and sustainable living. That passion carries through in every element of the operation. Our specialty honey, fruits and vegetables deliver fresh and healthy lifestyle choices derived from locally grown trees and crops. After more than 25 years working in agriculture, we are confident that the Estate offers not just the finest quality goods but an authentic agricultural estate experience promoting the sustainable development of a Small Island Developing Economy. |
Our Responsibility - Food Security
When we look at the economic and social history of the Caribbean, Lloyd Best’ Plantation Economy comes to mind. The Caribbean Earth has for centuries fed itself and those of the Colonial empires. In the 21st Century, what is the agricultural status of the Caribbean in places like Haiti, Jamaica, Barbados, Grenada, Dominica, Tobago, and in our case, the agricultural sector of Trinidad?
All around the world, food shortages have become a pandemic due to several factors such as; steady increases in population growth rates worldwide; increased competition of agricultural lands for residential and commercial developments; reduction in the socio-cultural development of agricultural careers and opportunities. The resulting effects include; increase demand and reduced supply of food and the capacity and efficiency of the sector. As a consequence, many large nations have begun to slowly tightening their food trade lines while investing in research and innovation in agriculture. These “developments” can and have lead to a catastrophic contraction of the sector in Small Island Developing States whose economy is plagued by significantly high import food bills and a diminishing Agricultural sector. Many scientific and innovative developments from larger economies are also NOT readily and easily transferable to smaller states and quality concerns are hardly addressed. Food security and safety becomes an even greater concern with the effects of climate change and societies inability to anticipate and adapt. Small Island Developing States such as Trinidad are at even greater risks, given the environmental dependence and sensitivity of the agricultural sector . As such Trinidad and Tobago is not immune to these effects and must now, more than ever, prioritize the issue of food Safety and Security to meet the local demands.
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Leif Johnson - Estate Manager
Leif obtained his certification from the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture & Forestry in 1994 and has claimed multiple international, regional and national awards for his integrated farming approach and beekeeping skills. He remains the dedicated mastermind behind the success of Carmel Valley Estate to date with his holistic approach to the continually diversifying operation. He maintains a strong working relationship with the local forestry and agricultural experts and enthusiasts to harness sustainable agriculture towards food security in Trinidad and Tobago. He has been producing honey at Carmel Valley estate for over 20 years. The 2 times he submitted his product, It won 1st place awards at the London International Show in 1998 and 1999. His work in apiaryculture and bee keeping was featured in a film documentary screened at the 2006 T&T Film Festival. This film is seen my scores of visitors to the estate for the past 10 years. |