Use Small And Slow Solutions

Small systems are easier to maintain. This means that it is easier to achieve maximum yields and make the most of your work. Often on large farms the yield is only moderate because there is not enough time, labour or resources to manage the farm properly. This is wasted energy. Small-scale systems are much easier to manage, and pest and disease problems are less likely to occur

DESIGN THE BIG PATTERN, WORK SLOW AND SMALL For a permaculture design−as explained in principle pattern to detail −create a complete design then add the detail. This is the same for a new design or improving an existing farm or house. When you work to implement the design, do not try to do it all at once! • Slow solutions: implement the priorities that create a base for the future: e.g. water systems and management, paths, windbreaks, soil improvement, and planting long-term productive trees. This process is slower, but over a long period of time it produces much better and more stable results. Slow solutions also use less labour and fewer resources. • Small solutions: choose small parts of the design and implement them well and completely so that you achieve good production from them: e.g. a few vegetable gardens, some fast-producing fruit trees, small animals. Then when these are well established, you can move onto other sections of the design. Step by step….

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SOURCE: INFORMATION SOURCED AND REPRODUCED FROM: TROPICAL PERMACULTURE GUIDE BOOK- A GIFT FROM TIMOR LESTE.

It’s a wonderful open-source practical permaculture reference guide book with 2000 beautiful illustrations and comprehensive language which enables even a beginner to understand the permaculture design, food sovereignty, and environmental regeneration strategies and techniques. The vision of this project is to make knowledge comprehensible and accessible for everyone to accelerate sustainable practices in every corner of the world. It is especially useful when working with poor, low literacy, and disadvantaged communities and schools.

This edition was developed from the Permaculture Guidebook from Timor-Leste produced in 2008 and published by Permatil (Permaculture Timor Leste-NGO). It is used by farmers, families, community groups, government departments, schools, universities, agricultural colleges, and NGOs in Timor Leste, and re-used and translated in more than 10 countries.

Please find the link below to download this book and learn more about their work on their website.