Lecture on Permaculture Organized by Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia

Last Tuesday, November 14, a general lecture on permaculture was organized by Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD) for the Natural Resource and Environmental Economics course. The lecture entitled "Permaculture: Lessons Learned from the Philippines and Indonesia" was attended by undergraduate students from UNPAD and graduate students from the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU). 

The first speaker, Dr. Jabez Joshua Flores of UPOU, talked about the status of permaculture research in the Philippines. According to him, even though there are many permaculture practitioners in the Philippines, the academic community in general seems to be uninterested in the topic in spite of its relevance in the age of climate change. He ends the talk by challenging the students to conduct their own permaculture research. The second speaker, Dr. Ernah of UNPAD, discussed the output of her team's research on permaculture ethics in Kebun Hanif Regenerative Farm--a permaculture site founded by alumni of UNPAD. 

If you are interested to watch the lecture, you can request a link to the video recording by email us at permacultureresearchph@gmail.com.

Second Publication on Permaculture in the Philippines for 2023 (Free Download)

Working with Nature: Practitioners' Perspectives on Permaculture Design in Agricultural Landscapes in the Philippines

Jabez Joshua M. Flores and Inocencio E. Buot, Jr.

Source Title: Nature of Journal Studies

Volume 22      Issue No. 1      January - June 2023

Online ISSN: 2244-5226

(Date of Publication: 6 September 2023)

Abstract

A reductionist view of agriculture as merely food production for profit

often leads to the unsustainable management of agricultural landscapes and their

surrounding ecosystems. Permaculture offers alternative views of agriculture. This

paper looked into how various perspectives of permaculture have influenced different

approaches to sustainable agriculture in the Philippines. The experiences of seventeen

practitioners from twelve permaculture sites were compared using key informant

interviews, focus group discussions, and direct observation using the video blog (vlog)

technique. Interview transcripts were analyzed and interpreted while key messages

were extracted from the vlogs. Results revealed three prevailing perspectives of

permaculture in the Philippines: ecological, socio-cultural, and agricultural. The

ecological perspective was shared in 7 permaculture sites, making it the most common

among respondents. The view emphasized an individual’s participation in the

processes of a larger ecosystem and their symbiotic relationship with nature. A sociocultural

perspective highlighted the human dimensions of permaculture, such as food

culture, personal relationships, and daily life. Moreover, an agricultural perspective

focused on sustainable agribusiness models. The diversity of perspectives has

enriched permaculture as a science and practice and is viewed as a regenerative design

process benefiting farmers and non-farmers alike. Though approaches may differ, the

goal of permaculture to design sustainable and nature-based farming systems remains

the same.

Download the full text here: https://www.journalofnaturestudies.org/

Cite this publication: 

Flores, J. J., Buot Jr., I. E. (2023). Working with Nature: Practitioners' Perspectives on Permaculture Design in Agricultural Landscapes in the Philippines. Journal of Nature Studies (JNS), 22(1). 

New International Journal Publication (2023) on Permaculture Now Available for Free Download

An Emerging Network for Sustainable Agriculture: A Social Network Analysis of Permaculture Practitioners in the Philippines

Jabez Joshua M. Flores, Inocencio E. Buot Jr., Alexander G. Flor, Ricardo T. Bagarinao, Marisa J. Sobremisana

Source Title: International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IJSESD)14(1)

Copyright: © 2023 |Volume: 14 |Issue: 1 |Pages: 16

ISSN: 1947-8402|EISSN: 1947-8410|EISBN13: 9781668479674|DOI: 10.4018/IJSESD.326610

Abstract

The study identified permaculture practitioners and determined how network relationship patterns can help in the mainstreaming of permaculture in the Philippines. Social network analysis was conducted to determine network structure and discover relationship patterns. Results of the study identified 204 permaculture practitioners with 75 individuals belonging to 53 projects that fall under nine project types. This is the first systematic documentation of practitioners in the Philippines. The network structure had a low density (0.185598) suggesting the high diversity of members in its network composition. Degree centrality index (max=92) revealed the network's prominent practitioners while local clustering coefficient (max=0.999) identified the presence of eight organizations and local government offices implying that membership was not limited to the participation of individuals. In conclusion, the way the permaculture network was constructed gave it a strategic position to mainstream permaculture to a broader audience which includes farmers and non-farmers.

Download the full text here: https://www.igi-global.com/gateway/article/full-text-html/326610

Cite this publication:

Flores, J. J., Buot Jr., I. E., Flor, A. G., Bagarinao, R. T., & Sobremisana, M. J. (2023). An Emerging Network for Sustainable Agriculture: A Social Network Analysis of Permaculture Practitioners in the Philippines. International Journal of Social Ecology and Sustainable Development (IJSESD), 14(1), 1-16. http://doi.org/10.4018/IJSESD.326610

Quantifying the Connections in a Permaculture Landscape using the PLN-6 Model

The PLN-6 model summarizes the relationships between the six component categories in permaculture landscape, similar to a 'food web.' Using the model, different landscape designs can be easily compared based on networked component relationships.

Out of the many outputs that we have shared and released since I finished my dissertation on permaculture in 2020, I was still not yet able to publish, or event present in a conference, the model my research team created to quantify the connections identified in a permaculture design. It's called the Permaculture Landscape Network-6 model or PLN-6 model. 

I was listening to a video interview of Geoff Lawton where he tried to explain what permaculture is about. He said, "It's more about the connections than the disciplines." This reminded me of the PLN-6 model. And I had that itching feeling that I had to do something with this. The model was supposed to be at the forefront of the dissertation--the main 'product.' But more opportunities came from the other components of the research such as the landscape ecology aspect, the use of drones, and the plant inventory. So I'm writing this blog to remind myself that this model needs to be published someday. Here's an excerpt from the manuscript (available for download here):

PLN-6 is a conceptual model based on actor-network theory, or ANT (Latour,1996). The model offers a simplified representation of permaculture design showing categories which are connected or related. Results showed that most permaculture landscapes have biotic components as the main hub (or actor). This represented how biodiversity and natural resources were valued in the design.

To create this model, we had to go on the ground and do farm and plant inventories, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions to extract information on the existing connections in the design. We also used a drone to identify landscape and farm components. PLN-6 maps were created by GIS expert, Malvin Biguerras, and computer scientist, Jason Obrero. 

UPOU-FMDS Launches Permaculture Initiatives

Aerial view of the FMDS Perma GARDEN (Photo credit: PRPH)

Los Banos, Laguna

This was a big week for permaculture as several permaculture-related events were held at the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) from March 21 to 22 as part of UPOU's celebration of International Women's Month and the International Day of Forests. 

Permaculture Systems Design Thinking (PSDT) course

The PSDT course and FMDS Perma GARDEN was introduced by UPOU senior lecturer and course coordinator,
Dr. Jabez Flores (Photo credit: UPOU Official Facebook Page)

The special event was attended by Jake Bautista III, Executive Director of the Philippine Permaculture Association, and its staff (Photo credit: PRPH)

After several years in development, the Philippine Permaculture Association's proposal to offer a permaculture course in an academic setting has finally come to fruition! Launched last Tuesday, March 21, the 16-week PSDT course is part of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies' (FMDS) Continuing Education Program which is popular for its short courses on environment, health, and entrepreneurship. The course just opened this week, if you are interested you can still enroll by contacting FMDS at fmds-cep@upou.edu.ph or calling them at (049) 536-6010. You can view the course outline here.

FMDS Perma GARDEN

Along with the course, the FMDS Perma GARDEN, which is an acronym for Growing Appreciation toward Resilience, Development, Entrepreneurship, and Nutrition, was also launched that day. The garden is an initiative of the FMDS Dean, Dr. Joane Serrano, to provide the university faculty and staff with fresh organic food and also educate the community about how permaculture can help us achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 2: Zero Hunger. 

The garden was designed by Dr. Flores together with expert gardener Maryjane Reondanga of UPOU. FMDS added some cool features to the garden by adding QR codes containing information for every plant which visitors can access using the free on-campus Wi-Fi. They also added a virtual tour here. 

The event was attended by UPOU faculty and staff, past and present university officials, high school and elementary students, women's groups, and local officials. The event was highlighted by the harvesting of vegetables around the garden
(Photo credit: PRPH)

After the launch, native trees were planted around the UPOU campus by university officials, faculty, and staff. The activity was organized by FMDS with guidance from Forester Karl Villegas
(Photo credit: UPOU Official Facebook Page)

The mural for the garden was painted by young artists, Mac Kevin Baula and Edhelysa Necesito
(Photo Credit: Dr. Rina Tan de Luna)

A Brief Introduction to Permaculture

The launch of these initiatives was followed by a 30-minute lecture on permaculture by Dr. Flores to high school and elementary students and their teachers to explain the science behind permaculture design. The garden is open to the public and we will be happy to show you around when you visit.

Dr. Flores explaining permaculture to a young audience (Photo credit: Nenieveh Glinoga)

Participants of the Introduction to Permaculture lecture (Photo credit: Nenieveh Glinoga)

Advancing Gender Equality, Sustainability, and Inclusive Society: Role of Permaculture, Community Forest Development, and Native Trees as Sustainable Based Livelihoods in the Philippines

In the afternoon, Ms. Nenieveh "Weng" Glinoga, a permaculture designer and nurse, was one of the three speakers invited to talk about the role of permaculture in a sustainable livelihood. For long-time readers of this blog and followers of PRPH, you might recognize Ms. Glinoga from our vlog series. She was the first permaculture designer we visited during our nationwide study on permaculture back in 2018. You can watch the full seminar here.

Dr. Joane Serrano and Dr. Finaflor Taylan awards the certificates to guests speakers (L-R), For. Karl Villegas, Ms. Nenieveh Glinoga, and Ms. Nida Collado via Zoom (Photo credit: PRPH)

Open Talk: IP Women in Permaculture and Health

The next day, March 22, Ms. Glinoga was once again onstage for an episode of Open Talk. Hosted by Ms. Neena Ebron and moderated by Dr. Flores, Ms. Glinoga shared her experiences on growing up with a Manobo father and then leaving home to study and work as a paramedic nurse. She then shared how he transitioned from being a health professional and eventually a farmer and permaculture designer. You can watch the full episode of the talk show here.

Visit the Glinoga Integrated Farm FB page

The Open Talk episode was broadcasted live via UPOU Networks and was attended onsite by students, faculty, and staff
(Photo credit: Nenieveh Glinoga)

PRPH Releases Social Media Cards to Promote Published Studies from 2017 to 2022

How is permaculture "passed around" on social media?

Read: https://ijodel.com/index.php/ijodel/article/view/22/58 (2017)

How do we study permaculture landscapes?

Read: https://www.searca.org/pubs/books?pid=472 (2020)

What do permaculture landscapes in the Philippines look like?

Read: https://smujo.id/biodiv/article/view/8192 (2021)

What species of plants can we find in permaculture farms?

Read: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-16-7699-4 (2022)

#permaculture #permacultureresearch #NatureBasedSolutions #regenerativeagriculture #organicagriculture #climatechange

Online Permaculture Course Now Offered by UP Open University in Collaboration with the Philippine Permaculture Association

 

Click here to access the UPOU website.

Tech x Permaculture: BSEE Students Present their Research Projects in Virtual Brown Bag Session

Los Banos, Laguna

Four BS Electrical Engineering students presented their research proposals and outputs this afternoon in a virtual brown bag session organized by Dr. Anton Domini Sta. Cruz of the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology, University of the Philippines Los Banos (CEAT-UPLB). 

Pioneer Permaculture Research PH (PRPH) Scholar and DJI Tello drone recipient, Jayson Osayan, presented the results of his drone tech study entitled "Development of Non-GPS Drone Mission Control through Computer Vision and Ground Control Points." The research was conducted to help designers and researchers automate their drone monitoring of land use and land cover change in permaculture landscapes. Another study in collaboration with PRPH was presented by AJ de Vera entitled "Raspberry Pi-Based Bird Classification System Through Bird Vocalizations in a Permaculture Setting." The study aims to help practitioners and researchers identify bird sounds in permaculture landscapes to monitor avifaunal diversity. The technologies being developed by these students will hopefully inspire more permaculture-based research at the university.

Aside from these two projects, there are new research proposals as well. John Mhel Policarpio will use the Tello to measure windspeed in his study entitled, "Wind Estimation using the Onboard Sensors and Visual Positioning System of a Micro-Drone." While Reign Cyril de Vera will build on AJ's research with a proposal entitled "Microcomputer-Based Sound Source Localization Development for Instantaneous Bird Count Estimation."

Thanks to these future engineers and scientists, the future of tech-driven permaculture research is bright (Read: Modern farming is harming the planet. Tech-driven permaculture could heal it). We need all the help we can get if we want to reimagine agriculture and avoid a major planetary crisis in 2030.

Last January 30, 2022, PRPH awarded a small research grant, two Tello drones, and free mentorship to two undergraduate students. Hopefully, we will be able to continue to do this and reach more disciplines in the natural and social sciences.

PRPH is an independent research initiative. Our goal is to document and study permaculture designs in the Philippines for ecosystem restoration.