Tools such as permaculture invite to redesign agricultural systems in harmony with nature and maximizing production. How to find the balance?
Permaculture: Two opposing approaches to agricultural production
Permaculture is based on ethical and design principles that promote long-term sustainability and the well-being of both the environment and human communities.
In contrast, modern agricultural systems prioritize maximizing production and economic efficiency, often sacrificing environmental health.
Soil management: regeneration vs. degradation
Permaculture emphasizes soil health through practices such as:
- Crop rotation
- Composting
- Permanent vegetative cover
These methods promote biodiversity, improve soil structure and increase its water retention capacity.
On the other hand, standardized agriculture depends on:
- Monocultures
- Synthetic fertilizers
- Intensive pesticides
These practices tend to degrade soils, reduce soil biodiversity and increase erosion.
Agricultural biodiversity: resilience vs. vulnerability
Permaculture promotes biological diversity, imitating natural ecosystems to:
- Protect crops against pests and diseases
- Increasing resilience to climate change
In contrast, monocultures in standardized agriculture offer control efficiency, but generate vulnerability to environmental threats.
Water management: conservation vs. exploitation
In permaculture, water is managed efficiently through:
- Rainwater harvesting
- Water-retaining landscaping
- Use of locally adapted species
Meanwhile, modern agriculture often resorts to intensive water use, affecting hydrological cycles and depleting water resources.
