Syntropic Agriculture, also known as syntropy, is based on an understanding of natural succession practices and the value of biodiversity. Its key is the creation of agricultural systems that simulate native forests.

This system involves growing a wide range of crops, including tall trees, shrubs and vegetables, to form a microclimate suitable for crop growth and to encourage land and ecosystem rehabilitation. It is a particularly intensive form of agroforestry that mimics the establishment of an optimal natural ecosystem such as that of natural virgin forests.

This practice is an alternative to standard soil conservation practices, and has the potential to generate abundant food, revive damaged areas and optimise energy and water absorption.

It is important to understand the basics of plant sociology, soil biology and supporting factors such as mycorrhizae and other biostimulants such as humic substances. Its methodology is based on a combination of biology, chemistry, ecology and botany and can be applied on both small and large-scale farms, providing a sustainable solution for rural areas.

While classical agroforestry is often combined with livestock, on the one hand for multiple land use, and on the other hand for direct fertilisation and tillage by the animals, syntrophic agriculture is based purely on the smallest possible cycles of the cultivated land itself. Integrating livestock is possible but not necessary.

This means that trees and shrubs are regularly pruned, grasses are mowed and crop residues are used. Together, this serves as mulch and compost, prevents soil loss from heat, wind or heavy rains, increases microbial activity, regulates weeds and constantly returns nutrients to the soil.

Continuous humus accumulation and permanent root penetration ensures long-term fertility, creates an aerial structure in the soil that maximises WATER holding capacity and contributes to climate stabilisation through massive CO2 storage in the soil.

In the long term, syntropic farming is much less expensive than conventional or organic farming because no inputs are used, irrigation becomes unnecessary and the system is largely self-sufficient. In addition, no large machinery is needed.

In our work as consultants, designers, permaculturists, gardeners, horticulturists, anthropologists, facilitators of change... we too often come across a fundamental deficit: LACK OF A BROAD, HOLISTIC AND SYSTEMIC VISION OF AGRICULTURAL, HUMAN AND LANDSCAPE PROJECTS.

What is the strategy, are the objectives compatible with the geographical and climatic location, are we really colonisers when we want to think of ourselves as ‘indigenous’, and do we see ourselves as ‘indigenous’?
Do we see ourselves and the environment or do we reproduce a civilising introject against the ecosystems?

In the course on syntropic agriculture we will learn how to read landscapes and analyse the principles and tools of design, philosophy and cultural prejudices in our decision making from a systemic point of view.

 

Robert is a member of Al-Khadra Granada regenerativa and a farmer, consultant, educator, conflict mediator, political scientist and philosopher. He has lived for 12 years in Gualchos, a small village in the lower Alpujarra of Granada. He was born in Germany and spent his childhood in the woods. After some academic studies, his hands asked him to touch the earth again. Robert tries to observe, listen and learn in order to sow seeds, ideas and projects.

In his journey he has had the good fortune to share the path with great masters and tragozars in Germany, Belgium, France, Portugal, Brazil and Spain. In Gualchos she has been collaborating for the last decade with the foundation La Loma Viva. On this beautiful farm he started 7 years ago a path towards Syntropic Agriculture with a series of consultations and courses with Ernst Götsch, the inventor and pioneer of this method and philosophy.

Robert was Ernst's interpreter and assisted in the preparation, development and follow-up of the courses and experimental crops. These cultures were amplified with courses by Dayana Andrade and Felipe Pasini, co-creators of Life in Syntropy. And then with courses given by Karen de Vries, Ryan Botha and Felipe Amato of TERRA network.
Previously Robert had known and practiced agroecology in a subtropical climate with Mestre Nildo and environmental education in Lençois, Bahia, Brazil. And in the temperate climate of Brittany, France according to the principles of Pierre Rabhi.

In Spain he learnt permaculture with Alex Kruger and Dor Havkin. A holistic vision which has been guiding him ever since. Thanks to Darren and Linda Doherty he is enthusiastic about Regenerative Agriculture. He is deeply inspired by Agroecology, Permaculture, Natural, Regenerative and Syntropic Agriculture. Robert organised and facilitated a series of workshops with Al-Khadra Regenerative Pomegranate on several farms in the province.

He is also a consultant to members of the association and feels the joy of cultivating and reforesting together with friends.

With Rakel and Sergio he shares a vision of the possible, the present and the future. And a great desire to learn, meet and co-create with you.

We invite you to participate in one of our events, bring a tree and plant it yourself! Check the events calendar for upcoming options.
If you can't come along at the moment, we invite you to make a symbolic donation of at least €25 so that we can buy and plant another tree for IKI-GAIA in your name and your SaLUZ.

All of you who donate at least 50€ will be included in the list of supporters of the project and we will send you, upon request, internal information about the project and the about-right protocol, including extended vision, the 7 KEY IKI-projects and participation models 😉 so that you can be informed of important developments.

We share with you the account of abundance enabled for the IKI-GAIA project in case, instead of donating through the platform, you prefer to make a transfer and you are NACE from NOW to contribute with a donation to this demanding phase.

Beneficiary: Semilla Monte Alegre

ES56 3058 0769 4427 2002 7693

Concept: donation IKI-GAIA + tree + mail (so we can include you in the internal list and keep you informed)

Blessings to all of you who are with the WILL
to contribute to CHANGE

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NEWSLETTER

If you feel that this is what your heart is looking for, it is your moment to take the step to create what you believe in and live in a tribe in an ecovillage of children and beings committed to their role of being referents and willing to do individual and group work, or, if you are preparing to take the step to join a project like this in the coming years, we invite you to become a member of our association by clicking here and ask us by mail for more confidential information about the project, so that we can start the process of approaching and agreeing on both sides 😉.

Contributions of all kinds, with the best wishes of prosperity and blessings are very welcome to continue advancing with the materialisation of this replicable model that will soon be able to serve, as contemplated in the vision, to all those who need it in this transitory phase we live in where it is necessary to surf the waves while the civilisational collapse is bottoming out, and a new humanity and a new paradigm emerge with strength and light.