Garden Africa

Thanks Josh - This is extremely helpful and interesting.  And yes, if you could supply the additonal sources you mention, that'd be great. 

I know that in Zambia (at the University in Lusaka) they have been running a Permaculture trial - next to one using 'conventional' methods.  In the same way, the idea is to measure energy inputs and outputs.  But it's some way off - and will likely take a good number of years to yield useful data. 

But also so important that Africa Permaculturalists are now engaging in the need for empirical data.  The fight for African soils is truly underway.  And the reality is that agri-bus is so much more tooled up in this respect than the rest of us, and is using the language of poverty alleviation to achieve its' goals.

Will have a look through the attached and see what I can extract and share.  Many thanks. 

I suppose it's simpler to view 'indigenous cultures' as being fixed in time - usually a time far in the past.  But in reality, these culture are constantly shifting in line with their environment (and other socio-political variables). 

In sub-Saharan Africa it is possible to see a different Permaculture emerging, which is relevant to all these changing conditions.  It speaks particularly to traditional farming cultures and traditions - in that Permaculture ethics resonate with what came before colonisation and industrialisation (of agriculture).  Some call it 'Africology' where care was taken for the earth, and each person/family had a plant and animal totem - which they were (are) tasked to care fo. 

Adoption and adaptation of Permaculture ethics and practice are therefore important for rebuilding links in the face of biocultural loss. 

If you're interested in travelling to Africa, then we can put you in touch with some lovely projects - where you can also WWOOF.  Fambidzanai Permculture Centre near Harare (Zim) is Africa's pioneer Permaculture training organisation - established on 22 ha of farm land - and where Mollinson did his first training in Africa (80's).  Many good African Permies have come from this time & location, and are facilitating training across southern and eastern Africa.  They certainly provide good examples of indigenous species use, and seed/food security, as well as water/irrigation projects in drought-prone environments. 

Like many others, I was fascinated by Rebecca Hosking's Farm for the Future.  And I am keen to use some of the stats she mentioned - but I can't find their original source. 

Can anyone guide me to the origins, for instance, of:

Using Permaculture " ...a skilled gardener can produce up to six times more than a conventional farmer working land of comparable size"

We can provide many examples of Permaculture gardens feeding not only families, but supporting food security at schools and communities.  We've been working with local NGOs in sub-Saharan Africa since 2002 - primarily using Permaculture, as well as other sustainable land & resource use systems. 

In this context, where soil erosion (in large part due to over use of synthetic inputs) has damaged soil structure, Permaculture practices have proved valuable and successful for the practioners we train – reducing their demand for water (irrigation) and redirecting and storing rapid run-off during the rainy seasons. 

But the ethics and practice are at the centre of this – and resonate with traditional African farming practices – skills around which are fast being lost. This makes Permaculture training more appropriate than any other model than I have seen, in terms of how people relate and respond to it.  Not only are we seeing people feeding themselves and their families (our first requirement) but also sharing food, materials and skills with others in their community.  It is soon possible to see dry and derelict areas springing to life – with dusty ground being transformed with canopies of indigenous edibles. 

For us, Permaculture is about creating resilient and viable communities in an uncertain future.  So, yes, it does far more than feed people.  Your detractor is welcome to make contact with us.