Permaculture – A type of agriculture..?

Everyone has a different way of defining the word Permaculture. However, one must understand that this addresses way of life itself, including every bit of our life, which is why, it is a wonderful science that is necessary for all to understand.

In the words of David Holmgren, it is all about “consciously designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre and energy for provision of local needs. People, their buildings and the ways in which they organize themselves are central to permaculture. Thus the permaculture vision of permanent or sustainable agriculture has evolved to one of permanent or sustainable culture”.                

We are talking about the culture (which is defined as a particular society that has its own beliefs, ways of life, art, etc. and thinking), which has sustainability as its central axis as we are not thinking about now, but thinking about generations ahead. We have to return what we got as it is or in much better form. Instead, we are seeing degradation all around and if there is a way to stop this and better it, then it is understanding of permaculture and start implementing those principles. Particularly, by observing nature and interacting with it, we can start our journey to the world of permaculture.

Normally, there are two ways to look at it. One, in which anything new can be created with this kind of thinking. Second, adopt principles of permaculture to turn around what we have now and minimize the impact, though can not be eliminated. It is all about the current design which we have created for our life and tweaking slowly to the extent possible, without damaging the totality. For this one needs to start observing how interactions are happening with the world around, including flora, fauna apart from humans, animals and elements like water, air, soil etc.. For example, growing food, be in an independent house or in an apartment or terraces, or farms, even road side, can be done using the principles very appropriately. It is a matter of understanding the need to start exploring the ways in which it can be done.  Infact, had it not been for the previous generations, we would not have seen so many trees on the sides of the roads which is helping to keep certain areas cool and helping in overall protection. It is our responsibility to start looking in such manner, re-design our lives to ensure our next generation is much better off than what we are, thinking beyond simple demand-supply models.

[Good read - Urban Permaculture for theBalcony and Beyond (Argentina)]

Jai Sai Master!

(to be continued…..!)

Permaculture – A myth or the solution?

Food.

In any form, across the world, is the most critical part of everyday’s life. Our everyday struggle, is only to ensure we have food to satiate our hunger. Animals never bother about the next meal, but a human being does and this is what is forcing everyone to work towards food security. But, the thin line between greed and need, is changing the way we are working for it, even though we know that small quantities are good enough to sustain happily.

The greed forces people towards stashing away or hoarding, and making sharing a less travelled path. This increases the parity between humans, differentiating them as rich and poor. But the irony is, the one who actually produces, is always remaining as poor. The system is so mired in the artificial layers created by the “smart” people, who tend to become rich at the cost of the producers. Unless there is abundance in food and less need for buying it, the parity will not come down. But is this possible? YES. An emphatic one too.

This is the only smart solution for the critical problem. Small, manageable, local and connected to big chain of food production. Unless every individual, every family, every community and every town does not start thinking about how to do this, we are sure to face chaotic situations worse than what we are witnessing today. Unless we integrate generation of food or part of the supply chain, we can not escape the on-coming logical end. But how to do this? Can everyone afford a garden? What about water requirement? We are staying in an apartment, how can we grow when we have space constraint? What if we do and the neighbours do not, and they start enjoying what we did? These are some of the basic questions that ring in everyone’s mind in the present day. There are solutions for everything and everyone if they start looking in that direction. The nature’s science helps to make sure everyone participates in this big venture, and this can only be a joint venture.

Permaculture.

A science, which talks about making sustenance a central axis, gives variety of solutions which when implemented brings out the abundance as naturally as it exists. Understanding this science and learning the art of designing around the fundamental elements, is the key for this small step. If we can afford to put one step, nature will support by giving the abundance. All we need is – take the small step.

(to be continued....)