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 “