permaculture

[mIEKAL aND <dtv@mwt.net>]

This looks like a very interesting project happening in Nepal.  I  
just plain don't have time to respond to him now but maybe someone  
else can offer his project some thoughtful advice or contacts.  I  
assume he is already in contact with Chris Evans who had a big hand  
in starting the Jajarkot Permaculture Program.  (I've pasted his  
attachment on the bottom of his email.)

~mIEKAL

Begin forwarded message:
> > From: "SADP Nepal" <sadpnepal@gmail.com>
> > Date: February 2, 2007 12:06:48 AM CST
> > To: dtv@mwt.net
> > Subject: Organic Agriculture in Nepal
> >
> > Dear Sir,
> >
> > Nepal is an agro based country. Near about 85 % people are solely  
> > depend with agriculture. In this context, with out developing of  
> > this field the country cannot be developed as a whole which is my  
> > own view. Viewing to this
> > I am struggling in the field of organic agriculture. Organic  
> > agriculture/permaculture is only way to save and heal this earth  
> > what thought. For this purpose we have established a demonstration  
> > a farm named Setivalley Intergrated Organic Farm (SIOF) which is  
> > under construction where we want to apply permaculture principle  
> > as well. Our main goal of this is to disseminate of organic  
> > agriculture/permaculture/biodynamic/biointesive/ecology etc in  
> > sustainable
> > way. To aware the grassroots farmers about permaculture is our  
> > another main objective. We want to develop it as training and  
> > research center in future. Permaculture is not yet introduced  
> > among the grassroots farmers in Nepal although there are enormous  
> > possibilities of it which also should be introduced to school  
> > students.  We are thinking to conduct PDC in our farm new farm  
> > Mouja Ecological Organic Farm to the grassroots farmers for which  
> > they are not able to afford the cost of training. We do not have  
> > sufficient fund for this therefore we are seeking the necessary  
> > fund for this purpose. Therefore, as an executive chairman of this  
> > organization would like to sincerely request for your kind  
> > suggestion and consideration.
> > Please do not hesitate to provide me with your valuable clue,  
> > ideas, advices and information in this endeavor. Whatever you feel  
> > about it and whatever you share for this would be taken with high  
> > respect and value. Your kind support will bring a big change in  
> > the field of permaculture in Nepal .
> > Please find here with a concept paper of PDC and kindly visit our  
> > website www.sadpnepal.org
> >
> > I am looking forward to hear your kind response.
> >
> > 'Work Locally, Think Globally'
> >
> > Organically
> >
> > Ramesh Nath Sharma
> > Executive Chairman
> > SADP-Nepal
> > Pokhara, Nepal
> > Post Box No. 220
> > www.sadpnepal.org




Conception of Permaculture Design Course


SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, NEPAL
(SADP-NEPAL)

Sustainable Agriculture Development Program Nepal (SADP-Nepal) is non- 
profit making NGO which was formally established with combine efforts  
of socially devoted people especially caring environment by  
flourishing agriculture in a systematized way. With the holistic view  
of serving people and helping to promote organic farming SADP-Nepal  
is registered under the local administration law of His Majesty's  
Government of Nepal and affiliated with Social Welfare Council. This  
organization is emerging to promote organic farming and permaculture  
principles improving quality of life of local farmers. Its entire  
effort remains for the pioneering of organic farming, which is  
essential to keep ecologically and environmentally balance in the  
nature.
To feed an expanding world population without further clearance of  
forest, we need to use technology permaculture, which maximizes yield  
and minimizes costs letting know the fine arrangements and design  
processing. Meanwhile there is an important issue in terms of  
chemical agricultural sustainability, which concerns the decline of  
mineral contents in food have shown a mineral decline of up to 20%  
raising concern about the impact on population health over time.
Nepal is an agro-based country where most of the population depends  
on agriculture. Due to various reasons and problems prevailed in the  
country the agriculture sector also has been seriously affected.  
Currently, it is undergoing with two major problems. In another  
aspect organic farming creeping hoping to meet the demand of time and  
people.

INTRODUCTION
More than 81% of Nepalese are dependent on agriculture for their  
livelihood. They are also dependent on the natural resource base of  
forest, soil and water supporting agriculture. Conclusive evidence  
shows that such systems, and therefore agriculture, are degrading to  
a point where society and culture itself are at risk. In the  
Agriculture dominated countries like Nepal, where each and every  
aspects of livelihood are closely related to agriculture, sustainable  
agriculture is the practical form of Permaculture.
Nepal is a land of geographic and bio diversity and extremes. As such  
it has been able to protect much of its agriculture from the chemical  
dependent, mono-culture abuses of modern farming.  This places Nepal  
in an opportune position to exploit the growing demand for organic  
products.
Such an endeavor, however, will face many challenges.  First, the  
same remoteness that has shielded its agriculture from modern  
practices, make it difficult to develop and market new products.  
Additionally, with the structure and politics of a developing  
country, the access to education and promotion faces many  
challenges.  And as agricultural production demands continue to  
increase, there is also pressure for more conventional farming  
dependencies.
As with any new initiative, education is the most important step in  
creating awareness and continuing a movement of change. In the  
context of Organic Agriculture & Permaculture, education needs to be  
developed on three levels. Initially, the development of a market for  
organic products begins with education. The general public must be  
made aware of both the health and environmental concerns surrounding  
conventional farming systems. Secondly, as organic farming is a very  
hands-on and experimental practice, there needs to be a higher level  
of experience and understanding within the labor force. Presently in  
Nepal, farm workers are often fairly uneducated therefore it is vital  
that training is provided to those involved at all levels of organic  
agricultural production. Because of the experimental nature of  
Organic Farming/Permaculture, the third level of educational  
development necessary is that of research. A successful organic/ 
permaculture operation requires techniques specific to the climate  
and land of that area, among other things. Although there is much  
research being done in the West, Nepal must find practical methods to  
suit the needs and resources of its people.  Wide-spread acceptance  
of organic practices can only occur if the farmers themselves can see  
the benefits.
Information on Permaculture is excessively centralized and not  
reaching people according to need. Similarly, conventional and so- 
called modern agriculture and other social practices that are  
encouraging in Nepal have negative ecological effects and fail to see  
on a holistic relation.
Permaculture is a practical approach to solving these problems. Its  
theory & practice uses ecology as a basis for designing sustainable  
human systems of food production, technology, economics and community  
development. Permaculture is people-oriented and assumes that our own  
sustainability is dependent on a healthy environment. Permaculture  
design is adaptable to rural and urban situations, using design  
techniques suitable to the type and scale of the area considered.
The guiding principles of Permaculture are diversity to ensure  
stability, recycling local resources to minimize external inputs,  
reviving and understanding traditional practices/wisdom, working with  
nature and at the same time building up and using local biological  
wealth. The course will concentrate mainly on to study of earth,  
world history on development of human civilization, sustainable  
agriculture issues, in the context of local and regional, social and  
economic environment. This course designed specially for technology  
to improve the present practices. It gives and insight to develop  
participants own initiatives on sustainable development and relate  
their own environmental contexts using NPG member's experience over  
the past twelve year as case studies.

OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
The primary objective of the course is to provide Permaculture  
philosophy, ethics and principals to those, who are working in the  
development organizations and sustainable development movement. The  
practical objective of entire course is to enrich the farmers’  
knowledge with new approach, which is applicable in the grass root  
reality as well, maintains the harmony with in the natural resource  
management practices. The principles and techniques taught and  
exchanged at the course are common resources for application in all  
areas of development work.
A further objective of this course is then to develop and present  
concepts, with practical demonstrations, which need to understand,  
accepted and implemented by planners and development workers within  
their conventional development systems. Only this can assist them in  
the attainment of basic needs while sustaining the environment, thus  
providing the foundation for self-determined growth.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE
1. To introduce of Permaculture to the grassroots farmers and  
activist including introducing of ecology.
TARGET GROUPS
The course is design especially for grassroots farmers and activists.  
To make well introduce of Permaculture in the country it is very much  
essential to aware the grassroots farmers. With out knowing meaning  
of permaculture no one will be interested in this philosophy. But the  
problem is farmers of this level are not able to afford the cost of  
training. SADP aims to provide PDC to those farmers who are working  
in rural areas of the country. If we can bring this philosophy to  
door to door of farmers then it will be effective.

DURATION & LANGUAGE
The total duration of the training is fourteen days and will be  
conducted in simple Nepali language. But some English and technical  
terms will be commonly used where as necessary with a lot of  
diagrammatic presentation.

COURSE AREA
Detail of the course outline will be prepared with the Nepal  
Permaculture Group (NPG) and concern organization.

COURSE VENUE
The course will be organized in Mouja Ecological Organic Farm, Mouja,  
Kaski. Emerging permaculture communities around the venue will be  
visited for practical observation and exercises.

FACILITATORS
Professionals and subject matter specialists, who are nationally and  
internationally recognized in Permaculture and Sustainable  
Agriculture, will lead the course to make it successful and  
objectively result oriented. Consultation will be taken with Nepal  
Permaculture Group (NPG) and other concern organization in this regard.

COURSE FEE
We are thinking that this course will be free of cost if we became  
able to get some fund from donors. Because the targeted group is  
grassroots farmers and activists and they will not able to afford the  
cost of the training. Even this will be finalized later on after the  
responding of several donors, organization and individuals.

COURSE ORGANIZER

Sustainable Agriculture Development Program, Nepal (SADP-Nepal)
RC Complex, Lamachour VDC,
PO Box: 220
Tel: +977 9846057379
Fax:  +977-61- 440209
E-mail: sadpnepal@gmail.com

Tentative Cost of PDC (In US $)

Resource Person fee     14 days x 2 RPs @ 100.00        =    2800.00
Hand out                3 Session x 14 days @ 15.00                     =     
 630.00
Lodge + food .....      15 days x 20 participants @ 10.00       =     3000.00
Rent of Training Venue14 days @ 20.00                           =    2800.00
Field visit             Lumpsum                                               
  =      400.00
Stationery              20 participants @ 6.00                  =      120.00
Report          1 RP x 4 days @ 100.00                          =    4000.00
Travel                  6 RPs @ 100.00                                  =     
 600.00
Communication   Lumpsum                                         =      100.00
Total                                                                         
  =  14,450.00



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