Permaculture and International Development ORFC 2018
Permaculture ethics and principles
OUR PERMACULTURE SPEAKERS: Elizabeth Westaway (PhD) International public health policy & practice Anne-Marie Mayer (PhD) International Nutrition, Epidemiology & Soil Lachlan McKenzie Permatil (Timor-Leste), Permaculture Assoc Britain Chris Evans Himalayan Permaculture Centre (Nepal) / Applewood Permaculture Centre (Herefordshire) Session Chair: George McAllister GardenAfrica / CAWR
Why Permaculture in International Development? Chair - outlining our challenges / talking points here : explaining briefly why the sustainable ag discourse speaks to a more technocratic agenda (food security / global limits / needs narrative) and why this is limited/limiting to wider social discourse, particularly on prevention and social farming/practices. 1) Policy-making through a permaculture lens - social justice & change 2) Silos in international development linking sustainable food systems 3) Development in an age of climate uncertainty DRR & preparedness 4) Whose knowledge matters social farming, sharing & innovation (CE)
Policy-making through a permaculture lens - social justice & change Elizabeth Westaway (PhD) International public health policy & practice
Permaculture Definitions The conscious design and maintenance of agriculturally productive systems which have the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems. It is the harmonious integration of the landscape with people providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. Bill Mollison (1970s) Permaculture is a design process. It helps design intelligent systems which meet human needs whilst enhancing biodiversity, reducing our impact on the planet, and creating a fairer world for us all. People across the globe are creating thriving communities with permaculture. Permaculture Assoc. Britain (2000s)
Permaculture Lens (1) Ethics triple bottom line Ecological principles Top down (strategic systems) thinking Design (then Action) bottom up Solution-focused Social Movement Transformative change
Permaculture Lens (2) Holistic Inclusive Rights-based Different scales Circular/rural/local economies Social justice Regenerative cultures One planet living Agroecology Food and seed sovereignty
Global Policy Arena permaculture access points? Global paradigm shift to small, mixed, diverse agroecological systems CFS44 report request on Agroecological approaches and other innovations COP23 CSOs propose solution formed by agricultural systems that derive from traditional knowledge such as agroecology and other low-impact practices Regenerative organic agriculture certification Global Nutrition Report 2017: Nourishing the SDGs A People s Food Policy: Transforming our Food System
Policy Challenges Limited awareness of/increased interest in permaculture by INGOs, UN Agencies, Academia, Funders Mercy Corps, TOPS Permagarden Toolkit resource Permaculture case studies on FAO Agroecology Knowledge Hub database Few policies incorporating permaculture globally Need for PAB permaculture policy brief Need for evidence of impact, rigorous research
Silos in international development linking sustainable food systems Anne-Marie Mayer (PhD) International Nutrition, Epidemiology & Soil
Siloed Challenges: Malnutrition : Triple burden 2 billion people lack key micronutrients like iron and vitamin A; 155 million children are stunted; 52 million children are wasted; 2 billion adults are overweight or obese; Trade-offs between Agriculture and Health. Irrigation projects and malaria. Increase links to markets of nutritious foods, and consumption trade-off. Increased fertiliser use in agriculture runoff to water bodies and fish die. Increased agricultural productivity and reduced nutrient content of food. Why is this happening? Separate sectors with separate budgets and separate objectives Success is measured in one dimension Economic interests
Food systems are complex Cornell University Food Systems research group
Permaculture for School Health and Nutrition Chilala Primary School, Nkhata Bay, Malawi 2007 January Before permaculture - rainy season 2011 June 4 years later - dry season Photos by Caroline Pragnell
Malawi Schools are using PC design for: education for students, teachers and community on health & sustainability integrated production systems with gardens, orchards, animals and woodlots water & sanitation systems: composting toilets, rainwater harvesting, drinking water energy generation from firewood and renewables health & gender initiatives Achievements PC is part of the School Health and Nutrition strategy School designs are created and implemented with local resources provided by students, teachers, parents and community members. Teachers, Students, Extension Agents and Ministry of Education officials are being trained in PC design.
How was this achieved? Early understanding of the problem (Observe and interact) 2006 Nationwide Survey found 30% no breakfast, 30% stunted, 54% anaemic, monotonous diet, health, sanitation problems low agricultural productivity Purposeful integrated design of many elements in the system food, hygiene, water, sanitation, energy. Building policy from the bottom up (use small and slow solutions) Community involvement; students teach parents and communities Each school designs and adapts to their local situation. Several government departments working together (integrate rather than segregate) Education, Health, Agriculture from national to local levels Funding from multiple sources with support from community and influential committed individuals What else is needed to build integration and break down silos?
Development in an age of climate uncertainty DRR & preparedness Lachlan McKenzie Permatil (Timor-Leste), Permaculture Assoc Britain
Long term programming for people centred development The challenges Working with short funding cycles Working to the true concept of development and breaking the stereotype of western-aspirational development and easy technology.
Participatory programme development
Integrating, celebrating and enhancing traditional wisdom, not replacing it
Multiple in-situ short courses &demonstrations, with followup & monitoring. Piece by piece these build in time to produce whole community results
Adaptability - permaculture fits with many international development programmes and can integrate them together. It especially emphasises soil health and regenerative food production as the key base for achieving many objectives
Disasters and emergencies Disasters and emergencies are becoming more and more common, and the planning and responses to them are directly linked to food production. The main challenges are: Siloed responses often reactive. The bulk of money and effort goes into immediate response, mirroring our global approach to health care. Long-term preventative and sustainable approaches are rare.
Permaculture, including in the majority world, is focused on promoting resilience & regeneration. In terms of design processes, this means including disaster prevention, mitigation &risk reduction as part of any project.
Food/water insecurity is one of the biggest push factors for refugees and is directly linked to every disaster and emergency. How can we reduce/ reverse/remove these as push factors.
Refugee and IDP camps (where refugees spend an average of 17 years) Blue print designs that include: Input/Output focus Cleaning and reusing waste water for food production Compost toilets and waste management Areas for rapid food production Training and capacity building programmes Approaches for temporary and permanent settlements Social and mental health awareness and responses
Whose knowledge matters social farming, sharing & innovation (CE) Chris Evans Himalayan Permaculture Centre (Nepal) Applewood Permaculture Centre (Herefordshire) www.himalayanpermaculture.com
The Challenges
The solutions
DEMONSTRATION
TRAINING
TRAINING
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
RESOURCES TRAINING DEMONSTRATION
Scale up If your program is successful, how do you avoid just getting bigger?
Barefoot consultants * Farmers Training * Develop own land * Develop own community * Trainers Training * PDC
Barefoot consultants
DEMONSTRATION
TRAINING
RESOURCES
SO WHAT S NEXT? Course Permaculture for Development Workers (sign up at the PAB table in main hall) Get involved Permaculture in International Development Working Group Come and have a chat over the next 2 days.