I have been hoping to find someone who has calculated, probably roughly, the amount of calories (the most challenging nutrient to produce in the needed quantity, as I understand) that are actually produced per land unit by a mature permaculture garden/farm/forest. Any ballpark figures out there?
I
believe that permaculture is very productive and blessedly regenerative; has supported large numbers of original horticulturists, but our current population is gigantic. I would just like to have some facts behind my faith, as, by now, PC has been in use long enough to provide real-world numbers
Especially in light of recent challenges to the adequacy of local food production (see newly posted article in Meaningless Drivel).
Biodynamic Duhon's 'One Circle' calculates that 35' x 35' could provide for one person, but then Norris' experiment seems to belie that. I'm reading the Nov '11 Permaculture Activist issue on "Growing Staple Crops", where nuts are highlighted. But, I still wonder about the actual measurable results to date, in relation to agri-results.
I'm guessing that reclamation, for food production, of abandoned, salted, desecrated ... er, desertified, etc. land will increase available arable land, and utilizing slopes (ala Sepp) for terrace and tree crops will be part of PC's answer to the world's food needs. But I'm wondering about any guestimates based on current PC history?
-Art Donnelly
