Permaculture in context of Rural development Empowerment & Grassroot mobilization
Rural development has traditionally centered on the exploitation of land-intensive natural resources such as Agriculture and Forestry
In contrast to urban regions, which have many similarities, rural areas are highly distinctive from one another
For this reason rural development approaches are dynamic and variable specially in developing countries
Rural development -India
Rural development -India
Changes in global production networks and increased urbanization have changed the character of rural areas too
The need for rural communities to approach development from a wider perspective has created more focus on a broad range of development goals
Education, entrepreneurship, physical infrastructure, and social infrastructure all need to be focused upon in developing rural regions
Rural development is also characterized by its emphasis on locally produced economic development strategies
Rural development -India
Rural development actions majorly aim the upliftment of the of the most underdeveloped areas socially & economically
Rural development actions needs to integrate environmental management as a core component
Rural development programs are usually top-down from the local or regional authorities, regional development agencies, NGOs, national governments or international development organizations
But then, local populations can also bring about endogenous initiatives for development
Rural development -India
The main aim of the rural government policy is to develop the undeveloped villages
Rural development aims at finding the ways to improve the rural lives with participation of the rural people themselves so as to meet the required need of the rural area
The outsider may not understand the setting, culture, language and other things prevalent in the local area
As such, general people themselves have to participate in their sustainable rural development
In developing countries like India, integrated development approaches are being followed up
In the context of many approaches and ideas have been developed and followed up, for instance, bottom-up approach, PRA- Participatory Rural Appraisal, RRA- Rapid Rural Appraisal etc
Aranya as an Example
ARANYA believes on sustainable agriculture and mostly subsistence farming systems for enhanced food security & sustainability of livelihoods
The sustainability depends on the management systems to access, control and manage forest, water, soil, and vegetation and livestock resources
The Sustainable rural development is the one which emphasizes on the following
Empowering rural communities Natural resource management Sustainable/ green livelihoods
“ The Permacultural way plays a crucial role in such sustainable rural development “
Aranya Agriculture Alternatives (Permaculture India)
• “Aranya” means forest in Sanskrit• Aranya a self-regulating system• Aranya also the guiding principle of agriculture (hence the name Aranya Agricultural Alternatives) to
encapsulate the regeneration philosophy of the age old Indian tradition and culture
• An Environmental and Developmental organization working for remote tribal communities of Adilabad and Medak districts, Andhra Pradesh in north-central part of peninsular India
registered No.1502 of 1999) AP (Telangana area) Public Societies Registration Act 1350 Fasli (Act 1 f1350 F)
Vision :Achieving Ecological and Sustainable Agricultural Livelihoodsthrough Permaculture farming practices for a Green GlobeObjectives of ARANYA :• To advocate and promote alternative and Permanent Agriculture practices
with focus on sustainable natural resource management• To organize and strengthen the rural and farming communities to achieve
food and nutrition security• To promote concept of biodiversity, natural resource conservation and
organic practices• To empower rural communities women , farmers and youth on Permaculture
practices, through capacity building• To empower women in particular to facilitate processes through which they
would gain access and control over natural resources• To promote sustainable livelihoods by capacity building of different rural
communities regarding indigenous and native technologies
Aranya Permaculture activities in India (since 1990s)
• Adilabad is one of the backward districts of Andhra Pradesh• 15.7% tribal population and 14.7% SC populations• People in the remote hamlets are ancient tribes• lacking even basic amenities for living• Though natural resources rich, not able utilize them • Various reasons Lack of awareness/capacities to access the services Lack of infrastructure (roads, transport) In adequate financial resources
Context/background – Aranya in Adilabad
Activity spread cycle1.Permacult
urePioneer farm (Pasthapur)
2.KitchenGardens (villages)
3.Farm developmen
t in schools(Gree
n school),colle
ges
4.Collective agriculture
through women groups
5.Nuclear Permacultur
e farms developmen
t
6.NGO(Aranya working
upon 2,3,4,5,7,8,9
)
7.Facilitating other
institutions
8.Permaculture in
Government waste
lands(arid and semiarid
areas)Permaculture in
Community lands
Works
Natural Ecological Farming in tribal hamletsVegetable gardensTree Based Farming in tribal lands Dry land/Rain fed agricultureBio-Diversity conservationSystem of Rice Intensification-SRICompost making( Vermicompost and others)Promoting integrated systems pisiculture, diary, poultryIrrigated Agricultural Development ( Command Areas)Trainings & Capacity building(focus - Permacultural practices )
Training and Capacity Building Activities
Ecological farming
• Training and facilitating tribal women in the Preparation of “Amrutha jhal” and “Amrutha mitti”(cow based farming; cow dung+urine+Jaggery+ Compost material
• Nutrition plantations for tribal food security (Citrus,Moringa,Pomegranate,Curry leaf)
• Vegetable gardens• Nursery raising
Women Empowerment Women empowerment in villages delivers multiple
dividends including poverty reduction, increased food production &decreased child malnutrition
Rural women and girls in India face several constraints that limit their social and economic opportunities & thus hinder poverty reduction and development
Understanding discriminatory social institutions that affect rural women and agricultural production is critical for enhancing aid effectiveness and the design of targeted policies to address food insecurity
There is need for mediating in gender relations to influence rural women’s economic and social opportunities
Aranya - Women Empowerment
• Training and awareness regarding age-old Permacultural practices
• Field demonstrations • Exposure visits to
Permaculture farms• Hand holding support
for implementation
Tree based farming
• Amla,Mango plantations
• Intercropping• Live hedge planting• Agro forestry• Companion plantations
Food and seeds
• Traditional and indigenous seed varieties restoration
• Saving land races• Seed banks
establishment• Revenue through seed
and fruit marketing
Water resource management
• Soil water conservation works
• Water shed development
• Participatory irrigation management
• System of Rice Intensification
• Irrigated agriculture development
Integrated Livelihoods
•Diversified cropping systems•Livestock integration•Dairy, poultry•Pisciculture•Horticulture
Community Mobilization
Community mobilization is central to any developmental process
It encourages better use of ones own resources and establishing ones capacities & willingness to contribute
Participatory decision making and action ensures democratic way of development
Empowers local communities for self organization & action
“ Aranya works with community for their development “from awareness stage , decision making,
planning ,implementation to monitoring ,maintenance till the Outcome stage
Awareness stage
Participatory decisions, planning….
Community in action…..
In practice….
Community in action….
OutcomesRural Developmental Impact
Sustainable Livelihoods Promotion Increased Income levels & Living Standards
Food & Nutrition Security Access to Resources & Services
Positive Impact on the EnvironmentEfficient Natural Resources Management
Climate Change Mitigation
Thank you
“ The true development of a nation is only when its villages develop “