Hansar Samui in Koh Samui, Thailand, has converted 1.2 acres (0.5 hectares) of land adjacent to the hotel that had previously been used as a dumping ground into an organic garden and fish farm.
The garden is currently growing herbs including rosemary, thyme and Italian basil as well as fruits and vegetables such as Chinese kale, papaya and seedless yellow watermelon. Dried leaves and refuse are used for compost, and intercropping — by which one plant creates natural enzymes that can kill disease or bugs on another plant — helps protect the harvest without the use of chemicals. Each department in the hotel has its own plot in the garden, and there is a friendly competition each season for which provides the best results.
Two large ponds on the land have been converted to fish farms, and currently there are 3,500 tilapia being grown. Fish are harvested every three months.
Future plans include starting a hydroponic berry farm as well as selling organic produce to other hotels in the area and using the proceeds for donations to local temples and schools.