ANNUAL REPORT 2004   CONTENTS   0. Introduction 1. Analysis of the Problems 2. Communities Supported 3. Activities of IPES 4. Evaluation of the Activities 5. Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

In presenting this Annual Report of the Permaculture Institute of El Salvador we, the members of the Board of Directors and the staff team, would like to thank our funders and partners for demonstrating their confidence in IPES as a new organization, for supporting our efforts to improve the life of that sector most forgotten by the Salvadoran government – the rural communities. These communities have worked hard over the year to ensure that the resources contributed by overseas organizations have been well used in the improvement of their methods of agricultural production and in the protection of their local environments.

Over the past year, we have succeeded in consolidating the Farmer to Farmer Movement, strengthening its capacity, its level of knowledge and its leadership. The communities we have worked with have developed a much deeper awareness of the environmental problems and have a greater commitment to environmental protection and to promoting this awareness and commitment to other communities.

What is permaculture?

Permaculture is a design system for creating sustainable human environments. The aim is to create systems that are ecologically sound and economically viable, which do not pollute or exploit and are sustainable in the long term. It is based on the observation of natural systems, the wisdom contained in traditional ways of living and farming together with modern scientific and technological knowledge. Based on a philosophy of co-operation with nature and other individuals and of caring for the earth and people, permaculture encompasses everything from the production of our food and the design of residential areas to the regeneration of damaged environments. Permaculture encourages the individual to be resourceful and self-reliant – to be a conscious part of the solution to the many problems that face us, both locally and globally.

1. Analysis of the Problems Faced by Rural Communities

In El Salvador, the roots of permaculture are found in our pre-Colombian ancestry. There is ample evidence of indigenous Mayan and Pipil practice of natural agriculture in the region. However, the Spanish conquest not only reduced the indigenous population from ½ million to 10,000, it also introduced a cash crop agricultural economy that still persists today. Today’s cash crops are coffee and sugar cane. Prime agricultural land is used to feed the needs and luxuries of the wealthy north, whilst 80% of our staple food has to be imported. 64% of the Salvadoran population of 6 million live in rural areas but own only 5% of the land. Both environmental and social problems have now reached alarming levels.

Environmental degradation

Together with Haiti, El Salvador has the worst environmental destruction in the American continent, resulting from a development model based on the exploitation of natural and human resources – a model which marginalizes and impoverishes the majority of the population. The UN estimates that El Salvador has already lost an astronomical 95% of its natural forest at the second highest rate of deforestation in the world. There remains only ¼ of 120,000 hectares of mangrove forest, so important as the beginning of the food chain.

More than 75% of the soil has been severely affected by erosion. Erosion depletes 20% of the country’s topsoil every year and has left up to ¾ of the land useless. Farmland is only half as productive as it was 30 years ago. Most agricultural soil has been acidified due to the irrational use of inorganic fertilizers, pesticides, acid rain and other forms of pollution.

Limited access to fresh water is also a problem. Only 25% of the rural population has access to potable water and 12 thousand children a year die from gastro-intestinal causes. The water table in the capital city is dropping more than 1 meter a year. Today, 95% of our rivers are polluted. Each year pesticides banned in the north, but imported into El Salvador kill thousands of people. Every week a child dies poisoned by agro chemicals and many more are left with incurable illnesses.

Unsustainable farming methods

The rural population relies on less than 2 acres for their subsistence. Most are landless and forced to rent land which is often steeply sloped, unsuitable for farming and subject to severe erosion as the natural vegetation is removed. These farmers use the slash and burn method, destroying all vegetation, followed by the liberal application of toxic weed killers and pesticides. The majority of the farmers are illiterate and unable to read the health warnings provided with these toxic chemicals. They take no protective measures and wash their spraying equipment in the local rivers, which supply their communities with water. These farmers rely on hybrid seeds for their staple food of maize and beans which demand high levels of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides and which are difficult to reproduce. Local varieties of seed have been lost. We have calculated that the average farmer needs to invest over $345 in agrochemicals and hybrid seeds, representing perhaps half of their annual income. This method of farming ensures that they never rise above the level of mere subsistence. Added to this their land is rapidly degrading, demanding more and more agrochemicals at ever increasing costs. Eventually, the farmer abandons the land and starts this destructive method of farming elsewhere.

This destructive form of agriculture was introduced during the “green revolution” of the 1950’s. In El Salvador this was a time when illiteracy, over population, unjust distribution of resources, dominance of military regimes, penetration of western culture and the industrial north’s merciless exploitation of natural resources had already created an alarming threat of ecological destruction

Urbanization and rural marginalization

Already the most densely populated country in the American continent, it is expected that by the year 2025, the population will have doubled in size. The 1992 census showed that the population had increased 42% in 20 years and that the majority are concentrated in the main cities. Uncontrolled urbanization is a feature of the development model which is creating an economy of sweatshops and shanty towns. The best agricultural land is being taken over by factories and huge housing developments. Air and water contamination and lack of refuse treatment are creating ever increasing disease and epidemics. Urbanization is caused by a government policy of abandoning the rural areas. Most have no water supply, no refuse collection, no medical facilities, and no employment and are unable to make a living from agriculture due to cheap food imports from other countries. The traditional self sufficient life of a small farmer, living in a small rural community is rapidly disappearing.

The need to build sustainable rural communities which care for the land and its resources has never been more urgent. The Permaculture Institute of El Salvador is the only organization in the country promoting permaculture methods of living and farming. Our community development ”Farmer to Farmer” approach is in line with that of forward thinking development agencies - one which has grown directly from the needs of the local communities, with their active involvement. The smallholdings and communities involved in the project demonstrate solutions to the environmental and human disasters facing our people.

2. Communities Supported during 2004

Location: Departaments of La Libertad y San Vicente.

   Community of La Florida

   Community of Las Mesas

   Community of Los Naranjos

   Community of El Palomar

   Community of San Cristóbal

   Community of Tierra Nueva

   Community of San Rafael

   Community of El Caoba

   Community of Bocanita

   Community of El Milagro, Tecoluca

Location: Departament of Morazán

   Community of Joya el Chongue, Torola

   Community of El Progreso, Torola

   Community of Agua Zarca, Torola

   Community of La Ceiba, Torola

   Community of Ojos de Agua, Torola

   Community of Peña Hueca, San Fernando

   Community of Flor de Muerto, Cacaopera

   Community of Naranjera, Cacaopera

   Community of La Presa, Cacaopera

   Community of El Tablón, Cacaopera

   Community of San Pedro, Cacaopera

   Community of Winaka, Cacaopera

2.1 Conditions in the communities

As a result of the civil war, the rural population of El Salvador has experienced massive displacement. In the conflict zones of Morazán, the population was forced to flee to refugee camps in Honduras. They returned to communities whose infrastructure was totally destroyed, land poisoned by armaments, huge deforestation and soil erosion. In the department of La Libertad, new communities have been created by people leaving internal refugee camps. Most of these communities settled in isolated areas, on steep, arid land and with little or no support to build housing and other essential infrastructure. These communities suffer from a lack of basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, academic education and agricultural training. For this reason, we have concentrated our efforts in strengthening their agricultural capacity, in order to help them solve the environmental problems that face them and to enable them to take control of their own lives and destinies.

2.3 Conditions of the Farmer to Farmer Movement.

At the beginning of the year, there were approximately two hundred farmers practicing some methods of ecological agriculture; including soil conservation, organic compost, botanical pesticides and herbicides and native seed saving. There were fifteen local Farmer to Farmer committees but with few active members. Our activities of 2004 have awoken the interest of many more subsistence farmers to join the Farmer to Farmer movement.

3. Activities of IPES.

We started our work with visits to the communities to get to know their situation, their membership and their possibilities for development. We emphasized the importance of mutual support as a method of implementing and promoting new techniques of ecological agriculture.

3.1 Visits to demonstration sites and exchanges

We began with a series of visits to demonstration sites, plots of land previously developed by members of the Farmer to Farmer movement. The idea being that new ideas and techniques are best learnt by observing them in practice. During the visits, new members were able to see the results of soil and water conservation techniques, worm beds, crop diversity, green manures, compost and mulch.

3.2 Introduction to Permaculture Courses.

Following the visits, we held introductory courses in various communities, six in La Libertad and five in Morazán departments. The topics covered included:

o   Introduction to IPES, its work and approach

o   Soil conservation

o   Organic fertilisers

o   Integrated pest control

o   Botanic pesticides and herbicides

o   Native seed selection and saving

In order to support the beneficiaries to practice what they learnt, we provided materials for making the fermented compost “bocachi”.

3.3 Leadership Training

We held a series of three leadership trainings, with representatives of each local Farmer to Farmer committee. The first was held 14-16th November 2003 in IPES Training Centre. Thirty three farmers took part and began the process of getting to know each other and exchanging experiences and ideas. In the second phase which was held 13-16th February 2004, thirty five farmers took part, including five women. We started the process of developing a Strategic Plan for the Farmer to Farmer movement, carried out an analysis of the problems facing rural communities, and SWOT analysis. We began to discuss issues of leadership and learnt how to build a stove for making distilled fertilizer.

The last leadership training was held 27-29th August and concentrated on issues of leadership. We clarified the role of the local committees and formed the 2 new Regional Commissions to lead the Farmer to Farmer Movement. The Strategic Plan was revised and approved.

3.4 Tool Kits

Each of the 15 local committees received a tool kit - available for members to use in implementing their new agro ecological techniques.

3.5 Monthly training for each committee.

With the aim of strengthening the local committees, we employed as promoters and instructors, members of the movement who have a great deal of experience and knowledge. This has enabled us to generate trust and acceptance amongst the communities. We visited each community monthly and provided practical, hands on training for the members of the local committees, including: the importance of trees and reforestation, careful use of the earth’s resources, conservation of soil and water, making pesticides and herbicides, seed selection and saving, grain storage methods, composts.

3.6 Training and exchanges amongst women

During 2004, we made important advances in involving women in the movement. The women’s group in La Florida shared their knowledge of building improved stoves with other groups within La Libertad, visiting a number of communities. We saw an overall increase in the number of women participating in the local committees and in a total of 12 communities, the women approached us to request training in home gardens.

3.7 Permaculture Design Course

The aim of this 10 day course was to train leaders of the Farmer to Farmer movement in permaculture theory and practice, enabling them to analyze community problems and find solutions. The objective of this internationally recognized course is to train participants in the design of a plot of land using the basic principles of permaculture – analyzing the soil, contours, position of sun, wind etc. Participants learn basic principles of ecology: life in the soil, fauna and flora, the food chain etc. They are taught to analyze the global situation, including the damage that the modern development model is causing to the planet, a model which places the economic interests of the few before the social and environmental interests of the many. By discussing environmental problems of water scarcity and contamination, air pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, natural disasters and many others, we aim to awaken in participants an environmental and social awareness on a broader scale than just their plot of land or community and to stimulate a commitment to become part of the wider movement for change. The course concludes with participants presenting a permaculture design and receiving the internationally recognized Certificate in Permaculture Design.

3.8 Annual Farmer to Farmer Gathering

To end the year, we held a gathering of the Farmer to Farmer movement in Cacaopera, Morazán on 13th and 14th of November. This event was part of the process of evaluating the year’s work. Its objectives were: to introduce the Mayan Cosmo vision, to raise awareness of global environmental problems, to review the year’s activities and to make commitments for the following year in order to strengthen and expand the movement.

The gathering began with a Mayan ceremony, followed by a review of the activities of 2004. Each committee analyzed their work and presented their commitments for 2005. We made a presentation of the global environmental situation, including problems of global warming, reduction of the ozone layer, global air and water contamination as well as the problems of large scale dam building. The gathering ended with a cultural event in which the local committees expressed their commitment in songs, poems and drama.

3.9 International Relations and Exchanges

This year, IPES has put emphasis into making international contacts, exchanging knowledge and experience and promoting our methodology. Earlier in the year, we sent two promoters to the Institute of Permaculture and Eco-villages in Brazil to study permaculture for a three month period. In June we were invited to attend the Forum “Sharing Indigenous Wisdom” in Wisconsin, US and in October we participated in the “Sustainable Resources 2004 Conference” in Boulder, Colorado. In July we were part of the Meso American Forum of Biodiversity and against Large Scale Dams, held in El Salvador. In May, our Director made various presentations about our work and formed links with the El Salvador Network of the UK and the Permaculture Association Britain, with whom we are working on joint funding proposals. We continue to work closely with the Meso American Permaculture Institute at the Central American level.

4. Evaluation of our Activities.

We consider the successes we have achieved this year as very significant, particularly bearing in mind the forty year old tradition of farming with chemicals, together with slash and burn. We believe that we have been able to make some inroads into improving food security and quality and have significantly strengthened the Farmer to Farmer Movement as the best method of guaranteeing the sustainability of these results.

Qualitative Results

   We have succeeded in raising awareness amongst the members of the Farmer to Farmer movement of the problems that face our planet and have generated in them a commitment to protect and repair the environment.

   Two hundred and twelve subsistence farmers have improved their family diet and the fertility of the soil by implementing ecological methods of farming.

   We have strengthened the local Farmer to Farmer committees, in particular by creating community leaders who are ensuring the continuing development of their committees.

   We have created a structure for the leadership of the movement, forming 2 Regional Commissions with representatives from each local committee in La Libertad, San Vicente and Morazán and training them in leadership skills and the skills to promote basic ecological methods of farming within the communities they represent.

   We have trained 15 new community promoters who have the ability to create simple permaculture designs.

   We have expanded the Farmer to Farmer movement by involving 52 new members, creating 7 new local committees and creating interest in a number of new communities to form part of the network.

   As a result of the popularity of the project within the communities, the percentage of women participating has increased. Seventy two women took part, forming 34% of the total Within 12 communities, the women approached IPES to request specific training next year to help form women’s committees with the Farmer to Farmer movement and train them to create home gardens to improve their family diet.

   The project succeeded in including a good percentage of young people. A total of forty six young people are now members of the local committees, many of them forming part of the leadership at local and regional level.

   The leadership of the Farmer to Farmer movement produced a Strategic Plan to guide them in their development over the next three years.

5. International partners who have financed our activities.

o   Romero Christian Initiative – Germany

o   Federal Ministry of Co-operation and Development - Germany

o   Mennonite Central Committee – USA

o   Methodist Relief Development Fund – UK

o   Threshold Foundation - USA

o   Permacultura América Latina - USA

o   El Salvador Network – UK

o   Lancashire Global Education Centre – UK

o   Midsomer Norton and Radstock Rotary Club – UK

5. Conclusion

IPES, together with the Farmer to Farmer Movement, value highly the results we have achieved with the support of our partners and funders as this enables us to help improve food security within poor rural communities. We are committed to improve the quality and extent of our work and to make the very best use of the resources so generously entrusted to us.

top