2013 04 Creative Things Thursday Link Party
Polyculture system does involve growing several species of plants in the same location; often in a method that is imitating nature. By means of boosting biodiversity of plants, polyculture system is promoting diet diversity across local communities. At the same time, it makes them quickly adapt to climate changes as well as extreme weather conditions while being resilient to diseases and pests.
Why Polyculture is Better?
Whether you believe it or not, polyculture plays a critical role to the permaculture system and design. It is providing numerous benefits like the following:
- More stable yields
- Less soil erosion
- Better soil quality
This is actually way better than sticking with the monoculture systems.
Permaculture Research Institute in Kenya is working diligently together with local farmers and partners through its Community Permaculture and Regenerative Enterprise Program by combining entrepreneurship and permaculture training.
The program is also using polyculture approach together with several food and medicinal species of plants that help in repelling pests, preventing soil erosion, providing essential ecosystem services and improving water conservation.
Continuous Study and Research
There is also a Brazilian non-profit organization called Esplar Research and Advisory Center that develops agroecological systems on family farms across semi-arid state of Ceará. These said agroecological systems are also based on polyculture system of bean, corn, sesame and cotton as well as other crops.
Aside from boosting income, its objective is also to conserve natural resources and increase food security on all family farms that are part of the group.