Table of Contents
What is permaculture farming ?
Permaculture is defined as the sustainable and self-sufficient growth of the agricultural ecosystem. It follows the natural cycle of our ecosystem in order to produce agricultural goods.
It links food, shelter, energy, waste systems and community, with each other in such a way that each element feeds the next element in a sort of mutually cooperative process for the production of agricultural products.
Permaculture farming is all about working with nature and allowing the ecosystems to function naturally without interrupting the natural cycles.
Why permaculture?
The answer is pretty simple.Over the past couple of years, permaculture farming has proven itself to be a successful method to create sustainable and self-sufficient systems, largely because it easily adapts to every climate and cultural zone, and fulfills the agricultural demands of a growing population.
Permaculture ethics:
Permaculture farming is based on 3 ethics and principles :
Earth care
According to this principle, farming in no way should harm or alter the natural ecosystem of our earth.We need to make sure that our practices should not destroy or perish the natural functioning of our planet.
People care
The principle of people care is based on the idea that everyone should cooperate with one another and rather than competing, we need to stay together because in this way, the environment surrounding us will prosper.
Fair share
Natural sources available to us are already scanty and if not used properly, these sources will soon end. Such scarce sources need to be used carefully by everyone equally without any discrimination and everyone should get the share of what they deserve.
Importance of Permaculture Farming :
A number of advantages are associated with permaculture farming technique.A few of them are listed below :
Cost effectiveness
The permaculture farming methods are based on using the natural components of the ecosystem and decomposing the waste into useful organic matter and manure for farming purposes. Hence, you save up a lot of money instead of spending a lot of money on conventional farming.
Less Waste Production
In Permaculture farming procedures, the waste gets recycled back to earth by utilizing it as a fertilizer. Therefore, the waste production gets minimized.
Less chemical exposure
In permaculture farming, natural fertilizers are being used for gardening and farming purposes and this minimizes the chemical exposure because the products never get exposed to the harmful chemicals used in pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
Pollution free zones
When the whole process of farming is based on utilizing the natural ways of farming, the chances of increasing the pollution are very minimal.
Zoning method
Permaculture farming method is based on zoning which means arranging the products depending on what product ripens first and what product needs more attention. So the products that ripen first are plucked first and the ones that ripen later on, are plucked when needed.
Diversity
Using this method of farming, one can produce a diverse range of products. One can grow whatever he needs.
Promotes Green products
In Permaculture, one uses natural fertilizers, natural pesticides and no harmful chemical products. It undoubtedly promotes production of green products.
Improves Environmental Conditions
Permaculture farming techniques help us in attaining a self-sufficient agricultural system in a natural way which is in every way beneficial for the environment.
Encouragement of Harvesting Of RainWater
Since permaculture farming deals with the natural system, harvesting rainwater and using it for farming reduces the use of water.
Reduced Land Degradation
Permaculture farming works by burying large volumes of rotting wood, branches and twigs, and even whole trees under the soil, creating parhe amount of garden beds. The purpose of burying all this is to allow it to decompose after several years leading to the garden beds being loaded with organic material and nutrients which proves to be beneficial for farming.
Tips For Starting A Permaculture Farm?
There are a few basic points that need to be kept in mind to focus on permaculture.
Starting with Good Maps and an Understanding of the Local Climate
The most permanent and important agricultural factor is climate and in order to assess your climate, look at the data of climate for your region and closely observe the changes.
Having A Suitable Area Is Important
It is essential to have a composting area to remineralize the soil.
The soil fertility needs to be retained for designing and working with a permaculture system.
Develop good water supply to the area
Water is essential for the growth of every plant therefore water and rainfall will determine your permaculture farm’s development.
Store and Harvest Rainwater
One needs to harvest as much rainwater as he can because harvesting rainwater boosts the soil fertility. Use large water tanks to store the water.
Improving soil
Begin the soil conditioning by plowing, mulching, erosion control, and even by starting microbial inoculation through biofertilizers.
These will improve the growth of your plants.
Soil requires air, water and minerals to be fertile.
Organic farming vs permaculture
The main difference between permaculture vs organic farming is that permaculture farming aims to close the energy cycle and support nature without destroying it.On the other hand, Organic farming nurtures both nature and the consumers taking care of both. It preserves the soil health for sustainable farming practices and it promotes the use of natural fertilizers protecting the plants from harmful chemicals.
Organic farming
- Higher yields per product.
- All the products ripen at same time.
- Pest control is closely monitored.
- Mostly human labor is involved.
Permaculture farming
- wider range of products
- water catchment determines shape of garden
- integrated pest management
- shares harvest with working animals.
Biodynamic vs permaculture
In biodynamic farming one relies on astrological indicators for farming practices. On the other hand, Permaculture farmers use an ecological and science-based approach to replicate the patterns seen in nature.
In short, permaculture farming can be used as a mode of farming to increase the yield without disturbing the natural ecosystem and making the soil significantly fertility.Over the couple of years, significant improvement has been made in this field.
