Morada Ekoa: Cultivating Connection

Abstract

The study conducted at Morada Ekoa had three main objectives: 1) Describe the vision of Morada Ekoa and resulting practices to achieve this vision. 2) Analyse the economic, social and ecological values generated by Morada Ekoa. 3) Provide consultation on all the facets of Morada Ekoa to support its continued growth and resilience.

Morada Ekoa is guided by the central permaculture ethics earthcare, peoplecare and fair share. It uses permaculture principles and techniques, to create a thriving agroforest and pleasant home environement. By creating conditions conducive to life, nature is empowered to create abundance and give back boundless benefits, referred to as ecosystem services.

Economic value is created though three primary streams: 50% ecotourism, 25% education and 25% food production. In 2 months, April and May 2024, a total of 258 kg of food has been harvested from the land, with a value of approximately $R2000.

Social capital is cultivated as Morada Ekoa serves as an example and shows alternative ways of living; the reconnection of people and planet in a permaculture community creates a sense of belonging, improves cooperation, and ultimately well-being.

Ecological value is enhanced by (1) accelerating natural soil-building processes to create a healthy functioning soil system capable of supporting a biodiverse agroecosystem, and (2) planting a wide variety of plants species. This increases habitat complexity and niche availability, thereby resulting in a biodiverse and redundant agroecosystem.

The most important advice is presented in the form of actionable items: o To produce food surplus, plant more agroforest, there is plenty of space. o To be more self-sufficient, plant more staple foods, such as mandioca (cassava). o To efficiently earn money from food production, focus on cash crops (high $R/kg). o To achieve ambitious goals, such as opening a café, seek partnerships. o To secure a sponsor and attract sufficient participants for courses, or to draft a grant proposal for a school project, begin early and plan meticulously; dedicate specific times each week to accomplish defined tasks. o To ensure habitat for nature and minimise management efforts, keep tight management on exotic species, take it out root and all once they no longer serve their purpose. o To improve biodiversity, provide nesting locations for birds, bats and insects. o To use the landscape to your advantage, plant on top of the hill where organic matter has already improved soil quality. o To improve the functioning of the soil system, keep providing abundant organic matter to developing systems o To provide a kickstart of microbial diversity to a developing soil system, add one bucket of leaf litter and one bucket of top soil from a healthy soil system per newly planted line. o To make sure your system has sufficient amounts of nutrients, take possible N-immobilisation into account when supplying high C/N organic matter to fast-growing annual crops. o To improve the functioning of the soil system, try out biochar as soil amendment to improve soil organic matter