Permaculture in South Asia
Challenges and Opportunities
Speaker: Prem Thapa, President, Nepal Permaculture Group
Email: premkathmandu@yahoo.com, npg@earthcare.wlink.com.np
Date: Thu 9 June 2005
Format: Lecture with Power Point slides
Summary
The current issues in South Asia include a rising population, increasing use of artificial fertiliser, loss of food security, climate change and destruction of natural ecosystems. Nepal Permaculture Group is addressing these issues through education, research, publications and networking. The challenges facing the group include designing a quality assurance system and labelling for permaculture produce. Farmers are unable to get insurance for permaculture production and government policy is focussed on high input farming. Another issue is the lack of an academic institution – people want to get degrees.
Key Points
- 10 years ago Nepal was a food exporter, now it relies on imports.
- The holistic approach of permaculture addresses the issues faced in Nepal.
- More work needs to go into research, publications and networking.
- A formal group is key to the process.
[Scribe: William Mortada]