Sustainable farming through permaculture

Permaculture is an approach to sustainable living that is based on farming and land-use without causing pollution or other damage to the natural world
© Food and Trees for Africa project as featured on the South African Social Investment Exchange

To farm sustainably, a farmer must pay close attention to soil and water conservation. In Malawi and other countries in eastern and southern Africa, the Rescope (Regional Schools and Colleges Permaculture) programme is promoting the introduction of permaculture techniques to school children and other community groups, as a way to promote sustainable farming. Rescope regional facilitator, Mugove Walter Nyika explains the basis for permaculture, and the implications in terms of soil and water conservation. He accepts that not everyone will accept or adopt permaculture techniques, as they do not offer a quick fix solution to farming problems. However, speaking from a school in Blantyre, he is encouraged that many young children, in particular, are becoming excited by the permaculture approach.