Permaculture: how will it affect agriculture as an industry?

Permaculture is a sustainable and holistic approach to farming that aims to create a harmonious ecosystem by working with nature, not against it. As permaculture continues to gain popularity, it is worth exploring how it will affect agriculture as an industry. 

The Principles of Permaculture 

Permaculture is based on doing what is best for people, and what is best for the Earth. Only making the smallest changes to the environment as possible, while maximising the effects. Farmers will need to adopt some form of permaculture, as the current farming models not moving the needle on sustainability enough to meet global targets.  

The Benefits of Permaculture 

Sustainability 

The permaculture design model uses regenerative agriculture techniques; aiming to create healthier soil, more biodiversity, all while reducing the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides. This will most likely be achieved through practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, composting, and the use of natural pest control methods. 

Biodiversity 

Farmers can promote biodiversity by incorporating several different crops into their farm. Instead of relying on traditional farming practices, such as a growing one type of plant in a field, permaculture farming emphasises the using different crops at different times. The crop rotation, intercropping, and companion planting can replace missing nutrients in the soil, without using harmful pesticides. A more natural way to increase soil fertility, reduce pest and disease pressure, and improve overall ecosystem health. 

Increased productivity 

Permaculture is all about maximising natural resources, including water, sunlight, and soil nutrients. Even though modern farming requires input to mitigate losing crops, farmers can still create a self-sustaining system that produces more food with less input. Using technology alongside permaculture means having a more hands-off approach, that is heavily monitored. Building a better ecosystem of biodiversity can increase productivity significantly, even in small-scale farms. 

Reduced costs 

Implementing permaculture principles is how much it could save on costs. With proper monitoring, growers won’t need to add chemicals as often, if at all. Some fungi can be used to repel insects, and there are insects that live off the fungi. Farmers would need to strike a balance that works for their fields, but it can be achieved and could increase profits. 

Challenges and Opportunities for Agriculture 

Education and training 

The permaculture principles will require learning and understanding. Not every farmer will be able to implement all the changes, and others will struggle with why they should do it at all. The first step is to educate as many growers and farmers as possible, make sure they don’t just know of permaculture, but that they understand exactly what it is. Training on everyday maintenance and tasks will also need to focus on new technology. Permaculture can be achieved successfully by blending the ideology of protecting the environment, with automated sensors and machines.  

Market demand 

With more people making conscious efforts to reduce their carbon footprint, the demand for greener solutions has increased. Farms that don’t incorporate some holistic approaches may end up with less desirable crops, and therefore less profit. On the other side, permaculture may not work at scale, or no one can afford the cost of these crops. More development is needed to ensure the cost stays competitive compared to current farming practices. A middle-ground could be to try one field to mitigate the risks.  

Land availability 

Farmers will require a larger area of land than conventional farming methods, which is already a significant barrier to entry. Most farmers are already maximising their land to grow crops, and store machinery. Permaculture may require farmers to give up some of their arable soil to create the biodiversity needed. 

Policy and regulation 

The government will eventually bring out more legislation and regulations to bring agriculture in line with the climate change targets of other industries. Agriculture is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, producing an estimated 11% of the worlds CO2 emissions each year; some estimates are over 25%. Unfortunately, as with many other industries, until they are forced to change, they won’t. At that point there will be stricter rules on farming, which may already be too late. 

Is permaculture the answer? 

Permaculture offers a unique and promising approach to farming that can help address some of the challenges facing agriculture today. With the focus on sustainability, biodiversity, and community involvement, permaculture could be one step towards a better future. There are clear challenges that need to be addressed, but that’s true of every change made. The way permaculture works isn’t new, in fact, it is based on an older, more idealistic, approach. The overall sentiment is that permaculture could grow more crops, sustainably, with lower costs and impact to the environment. If nothing else, most of the population agrees, something needs to be done, before it’s too late.