Foreigners learning permaculture in Nepal

PATLEKHET, Kavre, Jan 23: At a time when the nation's domestic labor force is heading abroad in search of jobs and to learn modern agricultural skills, many foreign farmers are coming to Nepal to learn traditional ways of farming. These foreigners are found of opting 'Permaculture' method of agriculture.

Hasera Agriculture Investigation and Training Center (HAITC) has given two-week long international permaculture training to 11 participants from Nepal, Scotland, England, Chili, Argentina, Uruguay, Lebanon, Canada and America.


"Permaculture is a practical philosophy in which people are taught to live healthy and prosperous lives by staying close to nature and society," said Govinda Sharma, chief trainer and chairman at the institute. "Many foreigners are attracted to this."

During the training program, the participants are imparted knowledge about the impact of development on world's environment, agriculture, economy, society and health. Along with that the training also provided practical information on cultures of different countries, techniques for building environment and social friendly houses, seeds management, nursery production, clay management, disease and insects management.

He informed that the method, based on eastern philosophy, was practiced in Nepal only after 1986 though it was introduced in the year 1975. "People around the world are increasingly attracted to this method of agriculture and Nepal is known as a place for practical learning of this method of farming and agriculture," added Sharma.

In the recent years, Nepali youth force has been leaving to Israel, Thailand and India to learn the modern and new methods of agriculture. Sharma claimed that they have provided training to people from more than 73 countries so far.

Participants termed the training as a wonderful and memorable experience. "I am elated to have learned unforgettable skills and knowledge through the training and I would recommend that the Permaculture techniques should be implemented practically by everyone," said Daniyela Olego, a trainee from Uruguay said.

Stating that no human being can survive without food and without proper agriculture enough food can't be produced for human race, Sharma added that "Agriculture is life line for all human beings and the main aim of permaculture is to focus on the same."

CAPTION: Participants of an international training program on permaculture pose for a group photo in Patlekhet, Kavre.

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