Auroville
Tropical Agro-ecology Institute
Auroville 605101. Tamil Nadu, India.
Phone: 0413-623-343
e-mail:
or:
promotion of agro-ecology and nutritional education
in India and Asian Pacific countries
In 2000 Annadana Network, supported by Kokopelli Association, France, began working towards the promotion of sustainable agriculture in Asian Pacific countries. In 2002 we are introducing a 9 month course for Tropical Agro-Ecology, concurrent with the commencement of the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest project (TDEF) under the European Commission.
This study program aims at training practitioners in agro-ecology (gardeners, project coordinators, agriculture technicians, NGO directors) capable of promoting home gardening, sustainable agriculture and the protection, conservation and dissemination of genetic resources in tropical developing countries, with respect to local traditions.
Instruction will be given primarily by professionals in Auroville, in India and with special educators by arrangement from around the
world. A main focus will be on the expertise that has developed through environmental restoration work in Auroville since 1968, in all fields related to sustainable agriculture: water management, reforestation, local medicinal plants, use of “effective micro-organisms” (EM), renewable energies and appropriate technologies.
Institute for Tropical Agro-ecology
Agro-ecology Institute
The institute will conduct courses over a 9 month period (September to May). Courses will be conducted in English. The timing of the course corresponds to the full growing and harvest cycle of vegetable gardening, to provide students with an experience of seasonal patterns and to realize techniques for seed conservation, within the context of the local (tropical) growing season.
The Annadana Genetic Resource Center will support the centralized classroom structure for lectures and information sessions, with fieldwork arranged at various locations in and around Auroville. Much reforestation work will be conducted in
designated areas adjacent to the Resource Center, as will be vegetable seed multiplication work. Students must arrange for their basic supplies (ie: notebooks, files), while course materials and work implements (tools) will be provided.
Accommodation will be within Auroville. Students are responsible for securing the level of accommodation they and their budget will permit, as well as mode of internal transportation (ie: bicycle, scooter), and this can be done with the help of the Campus office, in advance of arrival. These expenses are not included in the course fee.
On occasion there will be scheduled visits to other farms/environmental stations outside of Auroville, arranged as part of the study course. Travel expense for these visits are included in the course fee, but not personal expenses.
Practicum
Students will learn first hand all the supporting methodologies for overall environmental land management, in preparation for sustainable garden implementation. These include: erosion control and water conservation, creation of biomass and green covers, windbreaks and pioneer tree planting, mixed agroforestry, species identification and selection, traditional plant conservation, site planning and indigenous architecture.
Garden design implementation will include: soil preparation, making compost, cover crops, organic cultivation, organic pest and disease control, vermitechnology, seed production, apiculture, etc.
Theory
Throughout the course period applications to technical and conceptual planning will be explored through lectures and supporting documentation. These will include: soil health, water conservation, alternative technologies, gardening theory, research and data management, botany, herbal lore, social forestry, animal husbandry, cultural integration, language skills (Tamil), seed networking, nutrition theory, local cuisine.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Aims and Objectives:
The course is aimed at training students to work in tropical developing countries, with the focus on improved nutrition for local people through the development of home gardens, sustainable agriculture and the protection, conservation and sharing of genetic resources. Regeneration of degraded lands through the recreation of forest environments, and resource management of forest products for developing countries is a study key component. It is designed to take 25 students per course: project coordinators of NGOs, agricultural technicians, young volunteers in the Third World, social workers, etc.
Course attendees will learn interrelated approaches to integrated ecological awareness, with a strong emphasis on the role of soil health, and our relationship to it, as the foundation for food security and sustainable living.
CONTENTS OF THE COURSE: THEORETICAL
Water management
Recognizing soil quality
Building up soil
Producing vegetables
Producing field crops
Producing seeds
Protection of genetic resources and agricultural diversity
Medicinal plants
Reforestation
Vermiculture
Apiculture
Farm animals
Local culture and agriculture
Nutrition education
Tamil language
Managing a seed exchange network
CONTENTS OF THE COURSE: PRACTICAL
Vegetable Gardens
Production of 80 cubic metres of organic compost (5 different methods using readily available inputs)
Creation of vegetables gardens on degraded land (3,000 square metres)
Cultivation of seed producing plants (150 varieties) in already existing gardens (10,000 square metres)
Setting up of 5 vegetable food production gardens of 200 square metres each within Auroville township as models of urban gardening
Optimal plant care
Disease and pest control using biological methods
Harvesting for seed and food
Open market vegetable and seed fair
Creating the genetic resource center
Database creation and management
Forestry
Excursions in temple groves and department of forestry managed areas for plant identification and seed collecting
Creation of a nursery for forest seedlings for the TDEF reforestation project (50,000 seedlings of 100 species)
Planting out of 10 acres of reclaimed forest
Water and soil conservation measures (bunding and earth dam)
Seed germination trough EM technology
ARCHITECTURE & INFRASTRUCTURE
Construction of low impact buildings
Seasonal and durable irrigation systems
Setting up vermiculture units
Setting up an apiary
Building solar cookers and solar driers using clay and wood
Termite control in buildings
FIELD VISITS
Practical introduction to the farms of Auroville
Trips to study agricultural biodiversity and other organic farms
(Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka)
PROCESSING & PRODUCTS
Cooking sessions with the garden produce
Locals medicinal plant preparations
Bio pesticide preparations
FACULTY AND PRESENTERS
Dominique Guillet, founder and managing director of “Terre de Semences” and “Association Kokopelli” in France, receiving in 2000 the Ecological Prize by "La Foundation de France". Has worked towards the protection of genetic resources (edible) and production of organic seeds since 1991.
Bernard Declerq, In Auroville since 1975, expert in dryland agriculture, vegetable gardening and rice cultivation, safeguarding indigenous rice varieties, and reclamation of waste lands for food production. A founding member of the Association for the Promotion of Indigenous Genetic Resources (APIGR) , and co-founder of the Agricultural Renewal in India for a Sustainable Environment (ARISE) in India with Vandana Shiva.
Paul Blanchflower, BSc ecology & forestry, Edinburgh University, coordinator for indigenous reforestation in Auroville, AV Botanical Garden co-director, Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF project: European Commission) field coordinator.
Joss Brooks, director of Pitchandikulam ethno-medicinal park in Auroville, member of the Foundation for the Revitalization of Local Health Traditions (FLRHT), Bangalore, Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest (TDEF project: European Commission) director.
Walter Gastmans, keeper of AURO Herbarium at Shakti (7,500 specimens),
joint director of AV Botanical Garden, instructor in practical botany
Margarita Correa, University Medellin, Colombia Ph.D,MA, MBA, waste management, chemical engineering, microbiology, water analysis, consultant in the use of efficient micro-organisms (EM), vermitechnology, FPEs, ecological agriculture, database management
Stephane Fayon, project coordinator of the “Annadana” seed saving project Auroville, manager of the seed production gardens and genetic resource centre.
Pierre Acquarone, ecological farm worker and Annadana garden assistant, instructor for ornamental horticulture, care and landscaping.
Gerrit Impens, Holland, graduate of Emerson College, UK, since 1999 with VCDS Ecological Farm Development Campus (Tindivanam) training development workers, Biodynamics, soil and composting, cultural, social and economic dynamics of farming
Indian Specialists
Ismael Sultan, Chennai, expert in the field of vermiculture
Deepak Suchde, STEER Foundation (Spiritual Training Education Enlightenment Research Foundation) Netueco Farming, vermiculture, watershed management
Sivaramam, Pondicherry Agricultural Department, horticulture officer
International Specialists
Carine Pionetti (France), ethnobotanist
Maurice Chaudiere (France), expert in the field of apiculture and trees
Alternative Presenters:
Tency Baetens, director of AV Center for Scientific Research (CSR), lecturer on alternative building technologies, wastewater systems and bio-gas
Serge Maini, executive director of Earth Unit, CSR, architect and instructor for earth construction (compressed earth blocks, rammed earth walls)
Kireet, project manager for construction in AV of concrete and earth dams, erosion control
Course Registration:
The cost of the course is Euros 300 per month (Rs 13,425), or Euros 2,700 full course. This includes the cost of course related materials such as gardening implements, books and photocopies, but not personal study materials, such as paper, notebooks & writing or drawing tools. Included also are travel and lodging cost of course excursions.
To register for the course forms must be filled in and submitted by July 31st 2002, and must include a personal check (or if within India a Demand Draft) of one month advance down payment (Euros 300 or Rs 13,425) with the balance due on arrival. In case of cancellation this advance deposit is non-refundable. In case of absenteeism the student will not be reimbursed for any portion of course fees unused, the responsibility being solely with the student (in the case of an application not being selected or the course being cancelled deposits will be refunded in full).
The cost of accommodation in Auroville is not included in course fees. This will vary between approximately 7,500 to 20,000 Indian Rupees (Euros 165 to 445) per month, depending on the budget and needs of the student.
Visa and official documents necessary for staying in India are the responsibility of the student and must be obtained in the country of origin. If a recommendation letter is needed for the student visa application this can be requested.
Course begins on Saturday September 1st, and students are expected to arrive well in advance of that date, checking into their guesthouse and securing their mode of transport (ie: bicycle), in order to receive materials, orientation and attend the first day’s session.
Besides having a valid passport and valid visa to stay in India, we insist that everyone attending the course will have health insurance adequate to cover any unforeseen eventuality.
For more information visit our website:
http://www.auroville.org/environment/annadana/annadana.htm
http://www.auroville.org/environment/botanical_garden/introduction.htm