A dream that will help everyone in Africa !!!!!!

NYASA FOOD FOREST GARDEN PROPOSAL
Introducing a very special Nyasa Food forest garden project
In December,2007, Patrick Harry founded the idea of introducing a forest garden in Kan`goma area ,traditional authorityTsabango to the east of Liongwe rural. The idea came after reading an online Permaculture Magazine. The main aim of the
project is to help improve food security and poverty in Malawi through food forest gardening.
The targeted project beneficiaries are the women headed house holds. I have chosen women, because if women are educated then the whole nation will be educated in food forest gardening.
Currently in the early stages, founder of the project is encountering a lot of
enthusiasm for a Food Forest and feel excited and honoured to nurse the project into being.

While many people here in Lilongwe city have their own land for vegetable gardens, not many have the
available space for a large biodiverse and resilient food forest. Lack of both knowledge and support
form barriers to many who wish to begin growing their own food. 
This project hopes to address and
overcome these barriers by creating Nyasa forest garden first food forest, which will educate, inspire and invigorate the communities in Malawi.
The founder and director of the project is currently involved in fundraising campaign to enable him to achieve a goal of buying big land for establishing a food forest garden in Lilongwe rural east. Once the land have been purchased legal and technical issues will be sorted out, and also the site planning and species selection will begin. Then the fun of planting and building begins. This is a long-term project with the forest reaching optimal productivity in 5-8 years. Meanwhile, the potential for learning, community-building and fun that can be achieved is enormous.
We've prepared this document to introduce the concept of forest gardening, communicate our
intentions and gain support for the project.
What is a Food Forest?
A food forest, also called a forest garden,
is a productive and organic garden
modeled on the ecosystem of a forest.
Species are selected to create a stable,
functioning environment that fulfils the
needs of the gardeners by producing fruits,
berries, vegetables, herbs, seeds and other
useful plant material.
Food forests are established using
permaculture design principles which
mimic natural systems. Advantages are
then gained in pest control, weed control
and fertility without resorting to chemical means. Once established, the forest can be maintained with
a minimum of human assistance as careful selection of site, plant species, plant location, nutrient
resources and water management will do a lot of the work for us over the long term.
Traditional gardens are planted with annuals and perennials with little or no thought to how they work
together.
Forest gardens however, focus around trees and shrubs that take some time to mature and
live to produce for many years. These are supported by multiple-layers of other species especially
selected to work in synergy.
Different micro-climates are built to suit a wide variety of plants. Each plant performs many multiple
roles within the system - promoting growth of other plants, inhibiting weeds, shelter, mulch, pest
control, bird food, cross-pollination, attracting beneficial insects and of course providing food,
medicine and utility plants for community use.
An important feature of this kind of garden is its ability to keep reproducing. A large number of
different species will be planted, all of which will be chosen for being open-pollinated or heirloom
varieties that self-seed – this is important to the continuity of the food forest and for biodiversity for
the community.
Why are we doing this?
We believe that the future we lead our children into will be strongly determined by the society we
choose to help create. One of the most important goals any society must aspire to is the sustainable
production of nourishing and varied foods. The creation of a food forest in Kang`oma area will be a
step in this direction, aiding us to feed ourselves, providing a tool for learning and teaching others to
do the same.
We believe a food forest will assist us to answer many questions that we face as a community:
• Where is our food coming from and is it healthy?
• How can we teach our children about food and our relationship with it?
• How can we foster and maintain a sense of community?
• How can we safeguard the genetic diversity of our food plants and protect heirloom varieties?
• What can we do to eat and buy locally for the benefit of our local economy and environment?
Nyasa Food forest garden
The garden shall be planned Planned, planted and maintained by Nyasa forest garden, and the forest garden will serve as an
education
resource, plant nursery, seed bank, outdoor community centre, meeting point and food bank.
Accessible to all, the area will become an edible landscape with walkways and glades, natural in look
but designed with our needs for sustenance and play. A living repository for the future, in the heart of
our community.
The lessons learned through creating Nyasa food forest garden will be adaptable and transferable – many
elements of its design will increase the production and vitality of a garden of any size. As a teaching
tool for the design of human food systems it will be invaluable, supplying plants and knowledge directly
applicable to the local conditions and environment.
Through its creation, we will be developing a demonstrative alternative to current farming methods –
providing food sustainably, independent of fossil fuels, artificial fertilisers and pesticides. In the
process we will be growing a core group of experts who can transfer this knowledge and enthusiasm to
the community at large.
The look and feel of a food forest
The food forest itself will take on a lot of the character from the land on which it is grown. It is
expected that I will need a big land to build a sustainable area, though plantings will
start on a smaller scale. Preferred characteristics include a northerly aspect, free draining soil, a slight
slope and water catchment.
Fruit and nut trees will be the most visible plants in the garden. Species are likely to include apple,
pear, peach, plum, apricot, nectarine, bay, walnut, almond,Avocado , moringa trees, Guava, mangoes, peaches, paw-paw,
oranges, lemons, hazelnut e.t.c.
The under-storey shrubs will act as companions to the trees, offering food, shelter and mulch. These
may include elderberry, raspberry, gooseberry, loquat and a range of natives such as kawakawa,
manuka and taupata. Other useful species will feature including flax for weaving and bamboo for
supports. As the forest matures, climbers such as passionfruit and kiwifruit will be introduced.
The herbaceous layer (those plants closest to the ground) will be multipurpose plants that benefit the
health of the garden, such as comfrey. Yarrow, phacelia, alyssum and other species that attract bees
and beneficial insects will be encouraged and planted from the start. Medicinal plants will also be
important, as will the more familiar culinary herbs such as sage and thyme.
A root layer, including onions, ginger and Jerusalem artichokes will complete the ecosystem's plant
layers, providing both human and insect food.
Entering the food forest, a visitor will see a huge variety of different plants, but without the formal
arrangement of a traditional garden. Paths will be clearly defined through areas of mass plantings. As
in nature, what grows well in a particular spot will be determined by the local conditions but assisted
by us with forward planning and patience.
It is envisaged that two separate parts will be created: the forest itself and a smaller demonstration
garden, showing how the principles of the larger garden can be applied to a domestic garden.
We need your help
This is a community project - we
need your help as a community to
make it happen! Currently, we are
creating a library of resources,
building networks and gaining
skills and experience. This project
has a huge amount of scope and
we are keen to hear from anyone
ready to offer support.
If you would like to help us with
seed-saving, wielding a spade,
creating gantt charts, teaching,
contributing some time, money or
land - whatever your skills,
resources or experience, we would
love to hear from you!
Plant varieties that grow well in Kang`oma area,in Lilongwe rural east and those that have become suited to the conditions
through years of nurture by experienced gardeners are valuable resource. Seeds passed down from
generation to generation tell stories, they help us to connect to the past while safe-guarding our future
food supply. We need to start collecting this rich genetic heritage. Let us know about any wonderfully
tasty local fruit trees, an old jar with seed packets that your grandparents left, delicious vegetables
you've been growing for years - we'll try to keep them growing.
Contact for further information
Cell : Patrick Harry +265881652596
E-mail :nyasaforestgarden@ymail.com /ptrckharry@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.nyasaforestgarden.com
Further reading
Dave Jacke - Edible Forest Gardens (Chelsea Green Publishing)
Bill Mollison- Introduction to Permaculture (Tagari Publications)
Geoff Lawton - Establishing a Food Forest DVD (Permaculture Institute)
Photos: A backyard food forest in Whakatane, NZ. Credit: Yesterdaysfuture.net

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