The first commitment of Opara Organic cinnamon cultivation is to produce hygienically from the nursery stage up to harvesting, processing, and presentation to the market, as an "organic cultivation" without inorganic inputs and all external chemicals.
Location
Cultivation is established and maintained by ensuring that it is free from any external substances or chemicals. Sprinkler irrigation is applied, and water is sourced from a sedimented reservoir located in Rediyagama, in the Walaweganga Basin, Sri Lanka.
Agro-Climatic Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Agro-climatic zone | Dry zone - Lowland DL 5 zone |
| Topography | Undulating topography |
| Soil | Red brown |
| Soil Taxonomy | Typic Haplustalts |
| FAO Clarification | Rhodic Endoeuric Lurisoly |
Botanical Name
- Family: - Liauraceae
- Genus: - Cinnamomum
- Plant: - Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume or Cinnamon verum Presl
Seedling
Certified seedlings for the cinnamon plantation were obtained from registered nurseries of the Department of Export Agriculture.
Establishment and Management of Cultivation
Cultivation is established and maintained by ensuring that it is free from any external chemicals. Water from the Walawa River is obtained from the Ridiyagama Tank and sprinkler irrigation method is used to provide water to the cultivation. Standard and recommended pruning methods are also used in the cultivation.
Harvesting
After the planting of seedlings, three-year-old trees are cut and removed as harvest and sent to the processing center at Opara Farm. The entire process, including agricultural practices and other social factors, is certified under ‘Good Manufacturing Practices‘ (GMP) by the Department of Export Agriculture.
Processing the Cinnamon Harvest
A cinnamon processing centre certified for “Good manufacturing practices” has been established in the farm.
After harvesting cinnamon, cleaning, peeling, debarking and drying the cinnamon. It is sorted by our well-trained inspector. Then it is released to the market after a good quality check.
Opara Organic cultivates true cinnamon, which is native to Sri Lanka and is also known as ‘Chili cinnamon and sweet cinnamon.