In syntropic farming, the design aims to arrange different species all the way from the implementation of the system and continuing at each step in the conduction of plantations, managing them to produce their own fertilizer. For that purpose, trees, grasses, and herbs are planted in high density. They should share the characteristic of vigorous regrowth after pruning. A good farmer manages them accordingly. The periodic pruning results – in addition to the supply of light for our crops – in organic matter in large quantities which, on top of the soil, create a prosperous life in it and, indirectly, fertilize the plants.
An additional benefit besides the first two (if not greater) – light and fertilizer – is the effect of rejuvenation of the whole system that occurs after pruning: information of new vigorous growth and health for the whole system, induced by regrowth of our allies.
What are the differences between syntropic farming and organic farming?
Syntropic and organic farming are two sisters, starting from the same idea, but the approach to the solution of the problems they come across with has led them to different paths. Organic agriculture aims to replace chemical fertilization (usual in conventional farming) with primarily organic fertilization (composts made from organic waste, green manure, manure, etc.). This idea leads us to the next difference between syntropic and organic: organic farming involves phytosanitary control, i.e., the fight against diseases and pests. To regulate that, they create all kind of standards to define what is allowed and what is not allowed. The result nonetheless is the use of an entire arsenal of preparations, mineral mixtures to strengthen plants, or to kill or keep away pests and diseases, traps to capture unwanted insects, indoor breeding of predators to later release to control infestations, etc. etc. Those are tools developed and used as a consequence of the division, the separation between good and evil.
In the case, with syntropic farming, the work is to obtain the vigor and prosperity of the whole system. Those considered to be pests or diseases are seen as indicators of weaknesses in the plantations, caused by mistakes made by the farmer. Errors committed in the design or management of the agroecosystems. Pests and diseases are treated as indirect allies, and can indirectly give us clues about how to interact more organically towards the macro-organism, so there is no need for emergency care by the “firemen of the system.” That is why, once again, they are allies, members of the immune system, equal to the white blood cells in our body that act and reproduce when the processes of life in it (macro-organism) leave the given matrix.
Mankind lived happily within the laws of Nature. One day, however, men began to think “What if we made our own laws? We would be more powerful. (and make more money) By doing this, (making their own laws), they came into conflict with the laws of Nature and thus industrial farming came into being, interfering with Nature’s ways.
Ref: Life in Syntropy. Ernst Götsch
