The sweetness of Permaculture cannot be overemphasised.
Imagine stepping out to the backyard, and right before you there tomatoes and oranges and mangoes and cashews growing wildly. Imagine the shade and fresh air that comes with this beautiful scenery.
Close your eyes for a moment and feel the wind caress your body. Escape from the hustle and bustle of the urban life. Replace the urban noise with songs, chirps and tweets of rare birds that grace your Food Forest Reserve for the seeds and sweet nectar that these plants provide.
My name is Stanley Oranika, a 33-year-old Nigerian by origin, living and working in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. I am a product of Kings College Lagos, alma mater of the presently serving Minister of Agriculture (Chief Audu Ogbe).
I am a Microbiologist and Brewing Technologist by profession with further studies in Oceanography at the Federal School of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Victoria Island, Lagos.
My interest in Agroforestry and Nature Conservation was ignited at the early age of 7, when my class, as primary pupils, visited the National Conservation Foundation, Lekki on a camping excursion.
I was enraptured by the beauty of the coexisting biodiversity. Ever since then, my life’s major goal has been protection of Mother Earth through preservation of her flora, fauna, wildlife, and natural resources. This goal has taken me on a journey to visit IITA, Ibadan, a major influencer for this project.
My project is centred around the creation of a Green Zone based on a Self-Sustaining Ecosystem Model (SSEM). This Green Zone will eventually become a food forest which will ultimately provide food, jobs and an Agricultural Research Development Area.
It is an initiative to inspire the offshoot of many other Self Sustaining Food Forest Ecosystems (SSFFE) across other geographical zones in my country.
Already I have received approval from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to begin this project. A land area of approximately 200 hectares has been mapped out and approved for this project. This area of land shall be walled off and permaculture practices shall be adhered to, creating a natural forest that will be self-sustaining within a time span of 4 years.
My plan is to get stakeholders involved who will bring forth the best practices and skills to ensure the success of this project. So far, I have established correspondence with representatives of IFAD, NCF, IITA, FAO, and the Permaculture Institute, Australia.
With good guidance, this project will be kicked off and successfully deployed within 6 months.
The model I propose is realistic and has been achieved in far dryer climates, as shown by Geoff Lawton in some of his short videos. He has proven that nature is ready to give back in abundance, if we can effectively apply the principles she has laid down in her natural ecosystems.
Imagine what impact one visit to a Nature Reserve had on a 1-year-old child. This is what I want for many other young people.
The positive socio-economic impact of this project on my community will be huge. This programme will create an influx of agricultural tourists as well as create jobs for the indigenous people. This will drive commerce, trade and urbanisation within the area.
Because this will be a learning centre, knowledge from this programme will inspire local citizens to practice the same techniques, which will eventually increase their financial productivity from cash crops over the years.
My main motivation for this project includes offsetting greenhouse gases and carbon emissions due to industrial practices. This is in line with the Paris Agreement on the reduction of Climate Change.
Creating food and job security, I will be able to effectively direct the production of beverages with the materials sourced from this forest farm.
Furthermore, the medicinal value of the some of the crops that will grow here is very important to every stakeholder.
The ambience and modern nature of the proposed site intends to inspire young ones to delve into practices of sustainable agriculture. This shall be achieved by creating an oasis that demonstrates the importance of conservation and practicability of a self-sustaining ecosystem.
My gains will be the accomplishment of a noble cause that will outlive me. It will be my utmost joy to inspire other young people’s love for farming. The community will achieve a favourable environment that is abundant with fresh air, enriched soil, and proximity to fresh and top quality foods.
The steps I intend to apply to achieve my goals include developing a charter with major stakeholders, who include but are not limited to, IFAD, NCF, IITA, and FAO. They will provide the project with expertise and various seeds and fertilizers for the programme.
Presently, I have procured a Formal Document of Authorization for the Development of a Framework for Sustainable Agricultural Practices in the Rural Area of the Federal Capital. This has been approved by the Minister of Agriculture.
The area, measuring 200 Hectares has been mapped out. I am presently established correspondence with the Permaculture Research Institute, Australia.
Actual measurable success factors for my project include:
Planting of 100,000 forest trees.
The walling off of the 200-hectares parcel of land, which will take about 3 Months.
Creating irrigation channels and a pond.
The planting and generation of crops, seeds and fruits will mean that this haven of permaculture has been established.
Involvement and employment of at least 20 permanent staff before the year end of 2016 is a goal.
The gross output of maximum yield of food products from this area within 4 years is a determinant of success.
The steps mentioned above are milestones in the successful accomplishment of this project. I will describe this project as ultimately successful when this model is adopted and implemented as a blueprint for sustainable agricultural development across the vast arable regions of my country.
The main financial cost factor of running such a huge project like this is the land. However, with this part already secured, the next steps include funding of onsite farmers and workers, as well as irrigation and soil tending and nourishment of the soil.
To make the project more cost efficient, we have opted for the use of a Chicken Tractor that will till and nourish the soil over time.
Breakdown of the $5000 seed money:
Borehole, Irrigation and Artificial Lake – $1,507
Chicken Tractor Frame – $502
Chickens and Feed for a year -$1,256
Solar Panel, 2KVA Inverter and Batteries -$1005
Labour for a Year (provided by self) -$500
Miscellaneous -$230
This brings us to a budget total of $5,000. I want to state clearly that this project is one of a kind, which will eventually grow to yield so much just as the proverbial mustard seed.
It is envisioned that at some point, it will house delegates from all over the world who will come for conferences, research, leisure and nutritional and health benefits of the crops growing thereof.
Let us not forget the bee keepers who will enjoy an enclave within this environment. Let us not forget the fish farmers either, who will rear fingerlings in the lakes within. Rome was not built in a day, but with such a clear vision as we have expressed here, I call on all young entrepreneurs and agricultural enthusiasts, farmers and naturalists, to come and be part of this noble project.
Let us change the world, one tree at a time. Let us all join hands to taste the sweetness of permaculture as we establish the Self-Sustaining Agricultural Programme.
Blogpost and picture submitted by Stanley Oranika (Abuja, Nigeria) – stanoran[at]gmail.com
The content, structure and grammar is at the discretion of the author only.
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The GFAiR Blog 
This is a good one Stanley. Please keep unleashing more ideas like this. We are strongly behind you here at VrtusDeus and we are ready to be your Project Managers
Thanks So much VirtusDeus. I am always available to work with you guys
Thank you very much. Its an honour to be on your team
Nice idea
Thank you Audery! I’m always available to infuse every good ideas you have
Oh wow! A clear, well-constructed and very insightful piece. Climate change is real and this is a very good step in the right direction.
I endorse this proposal…
Thank you Mukwite! I really appreciate your endorsement. Not to worry, this projet is for great minds like yoursa
This is amazing
I’m glad you find this amazing Jazmine! Thats the point of this whole project! In reality, the Ecosystem is self sustaining. If we as humans let the plants reach their full cycle, their products will be relatively more than enough to feed us all
this is a fresh idea
Thank you Babili 41 ! I’m glad you can discern the freshness of this Idea! I hope we materialize this as soon as possible so you can be a part of this. Thank you
Reblogged this on bombabili41.
wow. nice idea
AN ABSOLUTELY READ!
NICE
WOW. cool
How fascinating. Young people ought to be encouraged to do this more
Thank you Nkiru! Truely, young people are the future of the world! We can do so many new things with all the technology at our disposal. Let us find new ways to make new things happen, with less complication, we can hit the spot and make the world a better place for our children, and our childrens children!
cool
A very great idea, we need more forward moving insights like this, God bless you
Awwww! God Bless you too Femi! Thank you for seeing in! I pray this works through asap and that the great organisations mentioned above can see as deeply as you do! I am passionate about this and I will be so glad to work with you sir! Thank you!
This is encouraging
Thank you Jay! Pleas I beckon on young people like you, to put hands and heads and hearts together. Agriculture is not only for the old, but the young as well! Thank you once again
impressive
im impressed
absolutely nice
wow amazing
Thanks Innocent
best write up ever
Great
This is an insightful piece. More people need this actually
THIS IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is really a great idea.
Keep up the good work.
Nice read, thumbs up
Nice one
Very detailed piece
Yessssss
Yessssss. We are talking
Hi Stanley,
You project is very interesting. Having done quite a lot in Permaculture and especially promoting food forest in our approach in Madagascar, I would love to follow up on what you are doing, please feel free to contact me on info@ecovillagemadagascar.com.
Your huge advantage and strength is that you have already secured some land (and not a small piece) to start your project. Wonderful.
Regarding the food forest, don’t forget to plant maximum indigeneous fruit trees.
Hope to continue interacting with you in future
Thank you so much Andrew! I am so glad that someone from Eco Village is interested in what I am doing. SSAP’s approach is inline with your goals . to improve the quality of life of rural population
. to educate population in ecological and economical sustainable living using permaculture design and techniques
. to engage in continuous research and development activities to improve continuously the quality of life
. to recreate a natural relaxing and regenerating environment for humans.
Madagascar is a beautiful country with a rare blend of biodiversity. I am sure Eco Village is one of the reasons that many species are not yet extinct. I will keep in touch with you Sir and we shall make a huge difference accross the borders of our country. Please, welcome onboard. Your expertise and knowledge are welcome . For sure, indigeneous fruit tress such as Mangoes and Cashew will be grown extensively over here.
Insightful
Thank you for seeing in. The need for this is way over due. This is the heart of many young people
Astonished! Wow
Nicely done
Goooood write up
Beautiful
Good plans and thought. well done
Thanks Erica. Your plans and thoughts are always welcome regarding this project. Have a Blessed season
This is a fantastic idea.
Heck yea😁
Nicely done
Read this through! It’s almost as though you got this idea right of of my head! Thanks Stanley! I can’t wait to visit your Permaculture Haven! Great Idea! However, I would like to know if $5000 can actually accomplish all you have talked about.
Yes thats what it is Augusta. Its a Permaculture Haven. Thanks for drawing that out of my head as well. Lol. Well, as for the $5000, it will go a long way in making sure that the project is kicked off on a financially strengthened background. It also ensures the commitment of the sponsors to be part of the project. Yes this money will go a long way, despite the fact that there will be fundings coming in from other sources. Thank you and please, always look forward to your visit to this Haven
This is a laudable initiative. I hope you get all the support you need to kick off. You can count on me whenever you need volunteers for any project.
Thank you Chelsea. I count on you to assist us with hands and heart and brains on this project. Volunteers are a major driving force that will make this project an ultimate success. I feel blessed to have a thoughtful young persons around me such as you. Cheers Chelsea
Very insightful!
Nice one…rightly said
Very clear and precise.
As a renewable energies engineer I totally support this project simply because it’s a sustainable project and environmentally friendly. The treat of global warming is real and anything to help stop the trend is welcomed. Great piece Stanley.
Thank you Oseghale. This project is in line with what you do. Conservation and Sustenance. There are modules within this concept that ensure the renewal and regeneration of energy, waste and other renewables, eg compost from decaying organic matter and the harness of methane too from soak aways. Always look forward to having some of your knowledge implemented here when this project is seen through
Very clear and precise. Save the earth by planting a tree. Weldone Stanley
Great Idea. Just what we need
Stanley this is an ambitious, progressive and timely initiative which comes at a critical moment when Nigeria as a nation should be moving away from crude oil export as a means of funding her domestic capital expenditures. Many of us would like to see Nigerian government make strong efforts in the agricultural sector as a way of achieving a more balanced and diversified economy. Nigeria has exported crude oil since the sixties, and yet lacks the basic food needs of her population. Programs like this should be encouraged because it takes a holistic economic development approach, which has eluded Nigeria since she attained independence in 1960. This smart approach will obviously help in conservation efforts aimed towards saving the planet from ultimate destruction.
Weldone Stanley. This will be a welcome development and I hope it can be put into practice fast. Makes so much sense.
This is good work.
Thanks Joey Zaza… You know this also has to do with some Bio Chemistry and some Molecular Genetic Engineering…. So get ready to get your hand gloves dirty… If we gonna feed the earth
wow! this is a great idea
A wow idea…l want to be in your team. This project is all encompassing, will go a long way to alleviate poverty in the country.
Chorooooooooo.
5000 ke. Na scam joor. No be igbo boy him be? Name scam e. Na today?
beautiful proposal. im dreaming of a similar a eco conservation park in indigenous peoples territories in the philippines. i have visited the kadoorie botanical garden in hongkong. my daughter is studying biology and she has passion with ecosystems and biodiversity. i hope someday we will network to see project success. God bless!