Case Study: India Permaculture Syntropic Agroforestry

This case study is an initial concept plan for a permaculture landscape design in India’s Tamil Nadu region.

The goal for this design is to create a syntropic food forest or agroforestry system on this site. To facilitate creation and water management, the main portion of the planting zone will be laid out in a grid system, with slightly raised pathways between each area.

In syntropic agroforestry, understanding the progression of natural forest evolution and harnessing its processes to meet human needs is key. It is important to think not only of the species in a forest, but how it will alter in composition and change over time.

Each section of this grid will be amended with plenty of organic matter and planted up with layered perennial planting in the right sequence to create abundant ecologically functioning zones, and with rows of key arable crops between the trees.

I am currently working on the specifics of the planting plans, which aim, of course, to create high yields, and as many beneficial interactions as possible within the system.

In this region, water management is of course key. The planting, layout etc. is designed to maintain sustainable irrigation systems through both dry and wet seasons. Vermicomposting will also allow for sustainable and regenerative maintenance of fertility over time, while also providing the potential for additional income streams and yields.