Ecoagriculture

Ecological design

Ecoagriculture systems “have been described as domesticated ecosystems”² . The premise works similarly to a forest, or a prairie, or any other ecosystem. A forest is an entirely contained system, each individual part making the whole stronger. A forest does not require outside fertilizers or pesticides or irrigation, yet nutrients in the soil, insect ratios, water are typically keep in proper balance. “This system, thus, maintains its own health, runs on the sun's energy, recycles nutrients, and at no expense to the planet or people.”³ Using these concepts, ecoagriculture designs a system allowing these processes to work with the land, to achieve the desired outcome of an increased, diverse food supply.

Biodiversity

The key to an ecoagriculture system is biodiversity. The more diverse a system is, the more stable it is, and the more resilient it becomes. “Diversity provides the system with built-in resilience to changes and cycles in climate, water, insects and pests, grazers, and other natural disturbances.”⁴ It also provides more diverse food and growing options, which creates flexibility in economic opportunities for farmers. A more diverse system reduces dependence on outside sources of inputs. Nitrogen-fixing crops can be integrated into a system, adding a protein source for humans and livestock, as well as nutrients for the soil. “High plant diversity alone can rapidly reduce the population of weedy species”⁵ , there by lessening, and eventually eliminating the need for herbicides.

Perennials

Utilizing water through the use of a swale and ecoagriculture plantings

Source: www.centerforsustainablecommunity.org/images. Author: Bill Mollison. Permission: Tagari.

Ecoagriculture uses as many perennial species as possible within a designed system. This creates the least amount of disturbance possible to the soil, thus trapping the maximum amount of carbon. A more permanent system, in the long-term, works towards greater dependency, and requires less labor and fewer inputs. Utilizing perennials also includes the use of trees into an agricultural system, incorporating many agro-forestry principals.

Water

Slow, spread, sink, shade, and store, are imperative in ecoagriculture systems. These 5 S’s represent the techniques used to maximize water use for a given system. When water is slowed down and spread out and sunk, erosion is reduced and absorption is increased. Shading helps reduce evaporation, thereby making available water more efficient.⁶ This is done with an increased use of trees, mulches, and cover crops. Storing water can be done in myriad ways. There is the traditional method of tanks or ponds, but water can also be stored in vegetation, or by using the natural lay of the land, contour lines, as a guide and creating swales. Planting region and climate specific species is one way to maximize the storage potential. Using these methods together reduces the need for irrigation, and can work towards ‘extending’ the rainy season in many arid parts of the world.

Soil

No Till Method and effect on Carbon

Source: archive.energyfarms.net. Author: energyfarms.net. Permission: archive.energyfarms.net.

Soil health and fertility is fundamental for plant growth. Fertility can be built with organic inputs that come from within the system itself. Leaf litter from trees breakdown creating microorganisms that stimulate microbe activity. The breakdown of the leaves also creates nutrients to be released into the soil and absorbed by the plants. “Degraded soils of cropland can be improved by planting perennial polyculture-like vegetation.”⁷ The 5 S’s of water management help add nutrients into the soil as well as reduce erosion.

No till methods are frequently utilized, mostly by using perennials, which, even when harvested, have roots that remain in the ground, thus not disturbing the soil and continuing to retain the carbon within. The benefits of no till methods have been shown to be a powerful tool in the fight against climate change.⁸

Organic soil management focuses on increasing soil organic matter, which increases carbon sequestered in the soil. Several studies have shown that feeding soils annually with organic matter in excess of the mineralized quantity is the only way to increase soil organic carbon.⁹

Many uses of a chicken. The Ecoagriculture approach

Source: gusgo.webs.com/theshireecohouse.htm. Author: Bill Mollison. Permission: Tagari.

Animals

“Animals (including birds and wildlife) are a critical component of any sustainable system, as without their participation and contribution the ecological balance cannot be achieved.”¹⁰ Ecoagriculture uses animals to forage for weed seeds, fertilize with their manure, and cultivate by scratching and rummaging, which all contribute to the health of the system. By integrating animals into the system, instead of separating them, the amount of food needed, expended energy, and time used are all reduced.

Efficiency

The ultimate end goal of this system is to be as efficient as possible, using the parts together as effectively and productive as possible. Energy, both in the form of human labor as well as from fossil fuels or alternative energy, should be minimized to the greatest extend possible, while continuing to maximize outputs. When the system works properly, these will readily support each other, making it a much more efficient system than traditional agriculture.

Example of ecoagriculture in action

Source: UNDP. Author: Small Grants Programme. Permission: http://sgp.undp.org/web/images/1558/...ry_system.html.

Bio-Fuels

Food Security

Malnutrition

http://www.neverendingfood.org/?page_id=198