People of Djibouti, Somalia and Mouritania facing the worse effect of climate change in terms of extended drought spell, salt water intrusion and low productivity due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and low soil fertility.

Caritas India facilitated a training for Caritas Middle East & North Africa (MONA) partners on permaculture, sustainable agriculture and sustainable development approaches based on its subject and field expertise. Caritas India person in-charge of climate change and natural resource management, Dr. Haridas V.R. trained 15 participants from Caritas MONA member organization from March 18-22, 2018 at Djibouti, Africa.

“The era of natural resource degradation and the subsequent difficulties prompts us to take care of the precious natural resources of mother nature through permaculture and sustainable development”, said Dr. Haridas.

Permaculture is a promising design system for the application of agroecology. In practice, permaculture involves organic, low-input, and biodiversity, it uses techniques like intercropping trees, planting perennials, water harvesting, and resource recycling. It is based on ethics of sharing, caring for one another and cherishing our environment.

Referring to ecological education and spirituality chapter of Pope Francis Encyclical, Dr. Haridas said Pope Francis invites everyone to the heart of ecological conversion. The chapter warns that the importance of environmental education cannot be underestimated.

The training helped in detailed planning and designing of permaculture with an integrated approach. It also considered goals and targets of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Topics like advocacy aspects for promoting permaculture, facts of climate change, integrated family farming/ integrated pest management; demonstration of various organic manures, growth promoters and pest repellents, details of Pollution Free Poultry Farm (PFPF); preparation of cow feed; various drought proofing measures through soil and water conservation measures were shared with the participants during the workshop.

Field exposure and discussions helped the participants to develop the action plan and activities for their respective member organizations. Caritas MONA will follow with its member organizations for the implementation of the proposed actions.