DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Modern industrial agriculture

and world problems
One of top 5 climate change causes

Extended soil erosion and fertility loss

Loss of biodiversity
Social erosion & economic inequality
Contamination, pollution and health problems
Uses 70-90% of world fresh water

Ineffective in feeding world population

It happens in Central Dry Zone

Increasing soil & genetic erosion.

Intensification of drought & flood cycles.

Poor soil structure and fertility.

Increase of debts for food or chemical inputs.

Social vulnerability, economic poverty,

migration.
Extended food insecurity.
Malnutrition.

PERMACULTURE
(permanent-agriculture and permanent-culture)
Is a holistic design system for agriculturally
productive and abundant ecosystems which
have the diversity, stability, and resilience of
natural ecosystems.

It harmoniously integrates land, plants, animals,

resources, people and the environment through
mutually beneficial synergies - imitating the no
waste, closed loop and energy efficient systems
found in nature.

Permaculture works with nature, not against it

It is a multidisciplinary toolbox including
agriculture, water harvesting and hydrology,
energy, natural building, forestry, waste
management, animal systems, aquaculture,
appropriate technology, economics and
community development.

What could be done with permaculture

approach in the Central Dry Zone
Improve soil fertility and productivity, prevent erosion.
Increase water availability for human and agricultural use
Reduce pests and weed management time and cost.
Reduce dependence on external agricultural inputs and

relative costs.
Produce and store nutritious and diverse food, on

extended period, reducing malnutrition, food insecurity.

Enhance community self-reliance and resilience.

How?...just few examples

Regenerate a healthy soil ecosystem to rehabilitate natural

fertility.
Integrate household system with animal husbandry and food
garden.
Integrate crops with animal systems and perennial
multistoried plant systems (fruit, nuts, fodder, fiber,
medicinal plants, timber and fuel).
Improve soil and water conservation, catchment and
management.
Maintain long term fertility through drought resistant, deep
rooted, mulch productive, N-fixing and dynamic accumulator
plants.

There is an urgent need for:

Research and experiment for context appropriate solutions

and scientific evidence data generation.

Compile and integrate information on local traditional

knowledge and technologies.

Demonstration site to show results and build up trust,

interest, inspiration and to create replicable models.

Training and education on methods, techniques and design

skills

Some possible themes for action-research

Soil and water conservation technologies and techniques.
Integrated waste water treatment system (phito-depuration+

animal fodder and watering).

Adaptation and selection of seeds, set-up of seed bank.
Selection of multi-functional perennials for

intercropping/hedgerows.
Culture and propagation of indigenous mycorrhizae.
Soil food web and impact on productivity and soil regeneration.
Intensive food gardens (poly-cultures, companion planting,).
Biodiversity impact on productivity and pest control.
Appropriate food processing and conservation techniques.