SUHAS/
ANAND
I largely use organic matter available in the area to fertilize the farm. I have huge respect for permaculture principles which is based depending on all resources within the farm and reduce dependence on external inputs. However, I do use water from outside though I have 2 water saving rain water harvesting pits. This helps tide over the extremely hot summer here. I use water only for new trees and plants for first 1-2 years and there after let nature take over. Organic farming and permaculture principles are aligned with my own beliefs on sustainable ways of living - though I do not often abide by them as much as I would want.
Conscious food is something that is mandatory for a bright future for our planet. Significant amount of carbon emission globally happens from food and associated supply chain. Shipping food items that are not local and seasonal leads is a significant contributor to the 20-25% carbon emission that food industry is responsible. Ofcourse the majority of it is due to meat consumption - but even for veggies sticking to local seasonal produce can significantly cuts one's carbon footprint. For e.g. shipping carrots to a house in tropics during summer has significant material carbon footprint and is clearly not sustainable in the long term. Where as substituting potatoes with yams and tapioca can lead to similar calories at significantly reduced carbon footprint.
Using all parts of local plants and trees (as much as possible and healthy) is critical towards this. For e.g. in our parts people eat bananas, tender plantain stem, flower of the banana plant while also using its leaves as plates and packing material. There couldn't be a better way to be sustainable ! It would be a great change if more people can before partly self sufficient in food production in a sustainable way (own land, terraces etc) reducing dependence on industrial agriculture. Industrial agriculture is not just high on carbon footprint but also unhealthy for soil. The mono cultural nature of industrial farming leads to unhealthy soil which needs to then be propped up by usage of chemical fertilizers. It is also highly prone to pest attack (large feast for similar types of pests at one point) leading to usage of chemical pesticides and insecticides - each of which has now been shown to cause long term issues for human and animal health. A balanced multi food forest (large canopy fruit trees, smaller mid sized trees, veggie plants, climbers, base natives etc) leads to the best way to reduce both fertilizer dependence and pesticide dependence. When I was in Switzerland earlier this year staying with a friend, we used to buy fruits and veggies from community farmer nearby. And most communities had such local farmers making local food items according to season. You could wake up early morning and at the end of your morning run / walk pluck strawberry or other fruits needed for break fast. !What a lovely way to live ! This experience has indeed motivated me to double my efforts.
This micro farm is my attempt at executing against some of these principles that I have learnt from many wise men and women over the past years. I'm indeed a novice and hence there might be many mistakes in these videos - so take it with a bucketful of salt, not just a pinch LOL