PRIMARILY, people will most likely ask if what is permaculture, and its importance to agricultural production.
Permaculture is commonly described as a creative design process based on whole-systems thinking coming from ethics and design principles.
This approach would guide us to mimic the patterns and relationships that we can find in nature, and can be applied to all aspects of human habitation – from agriculture to ecological building, from appropriate technology to education, and even economics.
By adopting the ethics and applying these principles in our daily routines, it is possible that we can make the transition from being dependent consumers to become responsible producers.
But the techniques and strategies used to apply these principles may vary, depending on the location, climatic conditions, and resources which are available.
While the methods may differ, the foundations to this vital approach will remain constant.
By considering these principles, we can acquire valuable thinking tools that can help us become more resilient in this era of change.
Looking back, permaculture was created during the 70s by Bill Mollison, an Australian ecologist and University of Tasmania professor.
He learned about permaculture after spending many years out in nature as a wildlife biologist who is observing how natural systems work, where he became distressed at the destruction that he observed going on around him.
While horticulture is focused on growing vegetables for commercial consumption, permaculture is focussed on designing and implementing systems for accessing natural resources in ways that benefit both humanity and the environment, and it is a forward-thinking design system based on principles found in nature.
Its purpose is to create living environments that are harmonious, sustainable, and productive – while reducing the work and energy required in maintaining them.
It can be noted that water resources can encourage beneficial insects, birds, frogs, and other small wildlife creatures, where most will feed on pests in the permaculture garden.
The three ethical principles of permaculture can be described as follows:
* Care of the Earth;
* Care of People; and,
* Return of surplus to Earth and people.
Permaculture is a forward-thinking design system based on principles found in nature.
One will most likely ask if what is the difference between Organic Gardening and Permaculture?
Permaculture can be described as a garden which is a lot more than an organic garden.
It is a system which is focused on closing the fertilizer loop being utilized by many farmers by using waste, and reducing the dependence on different inputs by creating a healthy soil and diversity of produce.
Consequently, permaculture is important because it is the only design system for food production which we can have the potential to be beyond sustainable.
While permaculture design can be considered as a whole in itself, it is only half of permaculture – because the other half is permaculture as a design system.
Although it is less specifically directed towards raising yields, permaculture design can make anything run more efficiently and harmoniously – so, it too has a part to play in feeding the world./PN
