PERMACULTURE SYSTEM:

WORLDWIDE MOVEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE LIVING

While our country's agriculture technocrats had been shifting from one model of sustainable farming to another, a worldwide movement has gained foothold on the consciousness of many sustainable agriculture advocates. Led by Australian Bill Mollison, the originator of the system, PERMACULTURE has now become a by-word for those who believed in sustainability as the first requirement in farming and living.

Permaculture is the contraction of two words permanent and agriculture, which explained simply is farming with permanence in mind. The concept is to develop a tract of land that from as early as 20 days, one already harvests from it and does for a long time. All the principles of sound sustainable farming or agriculture is applied.

The word permaculture was coined by Bill Mollison and David Holmgren. Holmgren and Mollison were deeply concerned about the growing trend of world agriculture where single crops were being grown in a place to feed others in other parts of the world. This kind of agriculture, they said, leaves most farming families hungry. The single crop cannot feed the family adequately and would be nutritionally inadequate.
When one shifts his farming paradigm from his present approach of commercial agriculture to perma-culture, he adopts the widely accepted ethics of: “Care for the earth”, “Care for people” and “Sharing the surplus”. (http://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/what-is-permaculture.html).



Caring for the earth means the farmer adopts earth-friendly technologies that sustains and even enhances the fertility of the soil and rebuilds the environment or ecosystem of his farm, home or garden. To recover or restore soil fertility, the farmer may put back organic matter or fertilizers regularly. Organic matter and fertilizers decompose slowly and gradually releases soil nutrients needed by the plants. As the farmer introduces more organic matter from varying sources, the natural soil fertility once native to his area is restored. Complete mix of soil nutrients makes up an ideal condition for plant growth that productivity of crops even when planted densely, geometrically increases as years pass.



Also, as the farmer plants more plant species in his area, he creates symbiosis among the various organisms in the area. In the process, the ecosystem is restored to its original balance that would withstand any destabilization such as harvesting and replanting. For example, an area is first planted to banana as the nurse crop. Then vegetables like pechay and bush beans and other legumes are planted after pechay, the banana plants benefit from the extra fertilizers and the restored fertility provided by the decaying leaves of the beans. As the banana plants grow tall and mature, the shade they provide will encourage shade loving plants to emerge and take over the vegetation. When this happens, weeds which usually grow on direct sunlight are slowly suppressed that before long, it would be easy to control them and plant more shade loving crops that can remain productive even with partial shade.



As the plant cover become denser, soil moisture encourages rapid decomposition of leaves and twigs and microbial action is sped up. Soil microbes help accelerate decomposition and chemical breakdown and the simplified compounds readily become soluble and are absorbed by the roots to be metabolized by the plants. When an area is covered by different species which do not compete with each other for soil nutrients, sunlight and other essential requirements for growth and reproduction, then symbiosis is established and the area's stability is created. (http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/index/).



Our local efforts for sustainable farming is not that far from the concept of permaculture. The missing link is the planning for a long period of time. The practice right now are technologies like vermiculture or earthworm culture whose end product is the vermi-cast or manure excreted by the worms and used as fertilizers in various methods. Elevating the practice further, the permaculture farm will include the vermiculture module but incorporated as an integral part of the system and may be grown in the wild among the mix of crops and plants.



So a batch of earthworms may be seeded in a compost pile of manure, hay and other organic materials which are being decomposed. These earthworms will grow in the wild and migrate to nearby piles later and saturate the whole area. As part of the soil micro ecosystem, the earthworm will do its part by digesting the organic matter, bring them into the network of tunnels they make where they further decompose and are used by the plants through their root systems.



“Caring for People” means that the whole purpose of establishing the permaculture farm is to feed the family and the community. Far beyond feeding them is to create habitable and enjoyable environments and ecosystems of plants and animals. A permaculture farm contains as many species as possible so that the ecosystem is reestablished and stabilized so that they not only survive the stress of human pressure but also grow or expand in the process. A stable ecosystem of a permaculture farm helps stabilize the environment, abate and even control pollution and its negative impacts like ozone depletion and carbon dioxide build up.



The quality of life of communities is dictated by the ecosystem. If one lives in a concrete jungle, the ambient temperature would be higher than if one were surrounded by trees and plants. The leaves and trunk of trees contain water and under ordinary circumstances, they are several degrees celsius lower than those of concrete and stones. The same is true in areas where the green cover had been destroyed in favor of cash crop farming. An orchard with medium and tall fruit trees growing together with under growth of grasses and bushes would be much cooler than a corn field or a sugarcane field.



So a permaculture farm would be a much better place to live in than a farm with just one crop like rice, corn or sugarcane. Much more so when one raises pigs and cattle as in commercial farming. One other benefit offered by a permaculture farm to a farm family is the diversified sources of nutritious food. A given area even though how small can produce a variety of food and vegetables. On one small part, the farmer may grow a few heads of chickens for their eggs and meat while their manure are thrown into the earthworm boxes as feed for the worms which in turn produce their castings to be used as soil and foliar fertilizers.



When the farmer wants to serve his family with vegetables, a permaculture farm would be able to grow a wide variety of vegetables which would not bore the family members due to variety and the freshness. Besides, the vegetables and other food raised the natural and organic way are not only nutritious but tasty as well.



“Sharing the surplus” means that he farmer shares his harvests with his community because the high productivity of a permaculture farm ensures surplus. By sharing the surplus, the farmer encourages others to help him sustain his food production efforts and may transpose to labor sharing or trading actions where his neighbors may also want to contribute their labor so that the productivity of the farm is maintained. The surplus may also be bartered for other needs and even labor where the community helps out in major efforts like land development and in establishing the various features of the permaculture farm.



An emerging tourist destination is Cebu City's Kamagayan Center right at the heart of the city. The 1,200 sq. meters urban lot is filled with many kinds of vegetables, herbs and medium growing trees with various uses, from food to herbal medicine. The plant or vegetation density of the area is high yet there is no competition for light, water and nutrients since the plants have a helping inter-relationship with one another. Nutrients, water and sunlight pare provided through planning and strategic placements where plants of compatible growth requirements are planted together. Attention to their symbiotic relationship is also given like pungent or aromatic plants are paired with plants easily attacked by pests.
While the concept of permaculture farming is still new in the country, the internet is a rich resource for information on how one can start with his permaculture efforts. One only needs to goggle the word “permaculture” and the author's name “Bill Mollison” and instantly a broad range of information is provided at his fingertips.



ARTICLE 2:



How to Start your Own Permaculture garden.



An area as small as 100 sq. meters can be developed into a permaculture garden which can supply the food needs of a family of six. Here's how:
First, learn all you can about natural and organic ways of farming. The internet is the best resource for information on natural and organic farming or gardening. Just goggle the words: natural farming, organic farming, lasagna gardening, bio-intensive gardening, permaculture, Bill Mollison.



Second, visit the local agriculture office and learn when seminars are being held. Go to public markets especially those holding farmers' markets so that you learn the kinds of vegetables, where and how they are grown. Try to make acquaintances with vegetable farmers who grow healthy looking vegetables. Also visit trade and agri fairs and locate boots where organic vegetables are sold and strike conversations with the farmers so that you learn all you can about their methods and technologies especially with the manufacture of herbal preparations, pro-biotics and vermiculture;



Third, try developing your 100 sq. meters garden by first planning where to plant which vegetables. Plan to make your garden rows in an east-west direction so that you take full advantage of the sunlgiht which is a crucial requirement for plant growth. Establish your vermi and compost fertilizer generator ahead. If you plan to raise poultry and livestock, plan their cages so that your labor cost is low. Also take advantage of inter relationship like, chickens like to forage among the plants to eat worms and scratch the soil and organic matter for the earthworms. Chicken manure is a valuable resource so you plan the cages to trap the manure without much effort.



Plan for symbiosis and inter-relationships of plants, soil, livestock, and, even fish. This way, you enlist the help of nature in your gardening efforts. One example is the use of legume bushes like ipil-ipil as borders and posts of your gardens. Cut the trees at 6 feet high so that they can become posts for the ampalaya. The leaves are harvested and decomposed to become a nitrogen rich source of organic matter. Plant short term legumes and before maturity, sow the seeds of a new crop so that you can practice the rfelay cropping technology where you can plant as many crops in a given period.



Fourth, implement your plans but study and observe intently so that you may adjust the system if anything goes wrong. Since your area is small avoid the use of external inputs like chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Earn from technicians on the alternative sources of insecticides so that you avoid chemical poisons to contaminate your garden.



Fifth, study the growth of your plants and try to invite technicians so that you will also learn from them. Mix short term, medium term and long term crops so that you can already harvest vegetables as early as 30 days and continuously there after.



Lastly, consider gardening as a recreation, a life study and most of all, an alternative vocation worth enjoying and making money from. The more serious you are about permaculture gardening, themore will be its rewards. Not only that you enjoy eating healthful food, you also exercise and de-stress at the same time.

RETIREMENT ACTIVITIES

by LARRY LOCARA

“It's never early to plan for one's retirement”. This is what Mr. Roldan Provendido said when I interviewed him as he displayed his plants as part of the Agri-Fair of the Pagdihon Festival held on October 22-31, 2011. In that event, Roldan showed the ornamentals he grew and sell to garden and plant enthusiasts. While almost 65 years old now, he anticipates that he will still be retained for another year because the mayor of the town he is employed in still wants him to continue with his services particularly tending the many ornamentals of the LGU and teaching farmers and housewives how to grow and market them.

This is also the attitude of Mr. Rey Osano, recently retired as head of the Crops Division of the Iloilo Provincial Agriculture Office. Mr. Osano has already invested part of his lump sum in developing his garden and in acquiring varieties of plants which he thinks will sell high especially during trade fairs and even by walk in customers who have heard of his plants.

Both Provendido and Osano are hands-on agriculturists who have spent many long years of their life as government technicians helping farmers grow and earn more. As technicians they not only lecture but can also plant and take care of plants so much so that they can proudly say that they are “hands-on” government workers. Now that they are in their senior years and retiring, they have prepared for their next careers: as gardener entrepreneurs.

Osano had not started early with his retirement program, since his job involved the hands-on management of his division. Besides, his residence in Moroboro, Dingle compels him to wake up early, prepare for work in the city and attend to the various concerns of his division that makes him travel to all parts of the province. But even then, he had an idea of what he wants to do once he gets out of government service. As early as ten years ago, he had started collecting the plants and crops he wants to sell later. Being also a farmer, he had always planted good varieties especially those being tested by his office so his knowledge of plants and ornamentals had been up to date.

As soon as he retired and processed his retirement lump sum, Osano started to develop his dream. He built a large enough shed that serves many purposes like family gatherings, putting soil into plastic pots and even meetings for small groups like his garden club and farmers' group. He also built a small shaded house for growing seedlings of plants and ornamentals he wants to propagate. When he located

a dumping site for the coffee hulls of a coffee dehuller business, he had the whole bulk carted to his lot and which he now uses as potting mix.

Aside from ornamental plants, he is also on the look out for excellent fruit varieties which he can plant and later reproduce in large volumes for sale to farmers and other plant enthusiasts. He has recently acquired variegated kalamansi which is not only fruitful but also beautiful and may be made as an accent to one's yard. He says that he has other species and varieties of fruits which may also help other farmers to earn both as seedlings and fruits they can sell in the market.

He then applied his years of experience as a technician to grow healthy plants. He also continued to acquire unique and highly salable varieties as mother plants so that he can grow many seedlings from them. On his very first entry in an agri fair in his hometown, his plants immediately sold out because they are not only unique but are also healthy. During that show, he was on the look out for new varieties which he again can grow in numbers and sell later for a hefty profit.

Osano also started a hog finishing project where he built a pig pen on the back portion of his property and raises about 10 finishers per batch. He opted to buy piglets to grow and finish instead of raising sows which he thinks is laborious. “The beauty of growing piglets is that one just grows them for 150 days or less and sell them at 95 kilograms and above”, said Osano.

But hog raising has also another advantage. Hog manure is a good source of organic matter for plants and Osano says that by raising pigs, he is assured of continuous supply of organic fertilizer for his garden. He allows the manure to fully decompose and adds this to the decomposed coffee and garden soil, coming up with an ideal soil mix for his seedlings and plants.

On the other hand, Provendido being a technician for cut flowers and other special crops worked with gardeners and unemployed women in San Enrique. His job enabled him to learn and teach the culture of these plants, many of them exotic or coming from other countries which required special care. As organizer and coordinator, he also have to help the farmers and women of the town to bring the plants wherever they wanted to participate. At first, he only helped the farmers and the women, but seeing there is money in growing and selling the plants, he also grew his own and brought them to the fairs and exhibits.

His hobby is now another source of extra income for him and his family. He is tapping his children and his nephews and nieces for labor and to act as watchers during the fairs so that he can be free to attend to other functions. In return, the nieces, nephews and children are rewarded with allowance money especially for cell phone loads, now a necessity for growing children.

TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Osano and Provendido are only two of the many retirees who are now enjoying their golden years by planting and selling ornamentals and other plants. But both have tips for other retirees and people wanting to join the band wagon of growing ornamentals and seedlings for sale.

First, is that one has to love growing ornamentals and other plants. The immediate objective may not even be money or to sell the plants. It may be just be for the love of plants and growing them. But the money aspect can follow especially if one starts to produce healthy and beautiful plants which are not ordinary. Plant enthusiasts will rush to buy unique healthy plants to add to their collections, to beautify their homes and gardens but also to sell later on. So if one is ahead of others in acquiring a new type of plants, he is assured of a market when the demand for them comes up.

Second, one has to learn how to grow beautiful plants, learning their habits, nutritional requirements, environment which is ideal for them, and the pests and diseases which may attack them later. By learning everything, one gets the assurance that he will produce healthy plants for sale. One has also to spend time tending his plants especially hands-on since one cannot often leave this task to laborers who more often than not would just work without care. The best situation for the gardener is when he finds a laborer who loves plants as much as the owner.

Use nature-friendly technologies which are sustainable like growing earthworms to harvest its wastes as fertilizers and also to use the live worms as feeds for chickens and fish. You can also learn the Japanese and Korean Natural farming System which use bacteria and other beneficial microorganisms to help in farming activities and to restore balance in the environment and the ecosystem.

Third, ornamental plants is a business too so one has to keep track of the expenses and the effort, accounting also the amount of time one spends on his project. With proper accounting, one gets an idea of the state of his business or hobby and how it can be grown too.

ARTICLE 2:

HOW TO GROW HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

Here are some tips on profitable growing of healthy ornamental plants. One can also apply the technology for his gardens to grow food plants and fruits trees:

1. The first is to decide what kinds of ornamentals one has to grow. There are many types of ornamentals which have also varied type of growing conditions. One has to decide which type so that the growing conditions or environment where the plants are native to can be replicated and they can adjust well to the environment. If one makes a mistake, it may be a disaster since his investments may go to waste.

2. Build a nursery which can accommodate the plants and where they have ample space to grow in. Make sure that the environment is conducive to their growth. If the ornamentals you choose are shade loving estimate that the shade would be between 50 to 70% shaded and if sun loving, shading should not be over 30% if only to protect the foliage from too much sun exposure and burning.

3. Acquire good soil and organic matter that will sustain the growth of the plants Study the ideal soil to organic matter ratio for each species. Prepare organic fertilizers and if chemical fertilizers are also needed, find the best type that will provide balanced nutrition to your plants.

4. Be sure to inspect plants regularly for any pest and disease infestation. Pests and diseases when not controlled at the early stage may cause major problems and may even totally destroy the nursery. Use proven pesticides and fungicides with low mammalian toxicity. Consult your technicians for information and advice.

5. Group plants according to growing requirements. Group shade loving plants together and sunlight loving plants similarly. If not segregated according to light requirements, too much sunlight will destroy the foliage of shade loving plants while sunlight loving plants will weaken and turn pale under shade.

6. Study plant characteristics and habits. Some plants gather water on the base of their stems where mosquito larvae may thrive and this will become the source of mosquitoes that may cause dengue and malaria. Some plants also exude sweet nectar or bear fruits that will encourage fruit flies so they become hosts of fruit flies which may later infect mangoes and other major fruits around.

7. Stock on organic fertilizers. Better still make your own so that you will have adequate plant nutrients to sustain your plants' needs. One can resort to growing earthworms whose casting can be used directly as soil conditioner and its leachate or vermi-tea can be used as liquid fertilizer both for the roots and for the leaves.

8. Tending one's plants is laborious so one has to love what he is doing so that he spends time productively and interestingly.