magway university meets permaculture .pdf

8/10/2019 MAGWAY UNIVERSITY meets PERMACULTURE .pdf

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DESIGN FOR SUSTAINABILITY


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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


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PERMACULTURE(permanent-agriculture and permanent-culture)

Is a holistic design system for agriculturallyproductive and abundant ecosystems whichhave the diversity, stability, and resilience of

natural ecosystems.


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It harmoniously integrates land, plants, animals,resources, people and the environment throughmutually beneficial synergies - imitating the nowaste, 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, wastemanagement, animal systems, aquaculture,

appropriate technology, economics andcommunity development.


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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.


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How?...just few examples

Regenerate a healthy soil ecosystem to rehabilitate naturalfertility.

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 andmanagement.

Maintain long term fertility through drought resistant, deeprooted, mulch productive, N-fixing and dynamic accumulator

plants.


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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


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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.

magway university meets permaculture .pdf

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