Sustainable agriculture in Haryana: field based experience
from Aanandaa permaculture farm in Panchkula
Growing population and speedy development induces huge pressure on the available natural
resources. The demand for food, power, water, sanitation and different public services accelerates
with developmental activities. The natural resources assist in the developmental processes, but the
human induced contamination of these resources result in the degradation of the environment.
Thus, the battle between competing development and the set of sustainability agendas as
advocated by the United Nations draws attention towards the dreadful conditions of natural
resources, making sustainability of environment a critical issue. During the second half of 20th
century, the increase in the incidences of air pollution, reduction in green cover and global
warming have started inflicting risk to the human health. It was then realized that the idea of
environmental sustainability should be integral part of the developmental processes with respect
to aspirations of the future generations. The pragmatic solution for this problem may be found by
looking into the key drivers of the environmental sustainability in an integrated manner.
India is an agrarian nation with more than half of its population of 1.3 billion people depending
on agriculture and allied sector for their livelihood. According to the Economic Survey (2018-19)
agriculture contributed to 14.4% of the gross value added (GVA). The Green Revolution initiated
during the mid-1960s with the introduction of the high-yielding varieties of seeds and other
modern agricultural technologies completely transformed India from a deficit to a food grain
surplus country. The green revolution resulted in tremendous impact on the socio-economic
development of the rural farming community in particular and the country as a whole.
However, over the years the impact of green revolution has been fading. Indiscriminate use of
green revolution technologies have led to overall degradation of the agro-ecology, including
depleting soil fertility, soil erosion, soil toxicity, diminishing water resources, pollution and
salinity of underground water, increased incidence of pest-infested crops, human and livestock
diseases and climate change, resulting in indebted and discontented farmers. This high input
oriented intensive agriculture is leading to ever increasing cost of production and diminishing
returns for the farmers.
In Haryana State of India, agriculture is practiced on nearly eighty-six percent (86%) of the
state’s total geographical area (4.42 million ha). Haryana, with just 1.4% (4.4 M ha) of the total
geographical area of the country, is the second largest contributor of food grains (17.6% in 2009-
10) to the national food basket. Green Revolution technologies practiced by small and marginal
Haryana farmers (~ 68%) increased food-grain production from 2.6 million tons (MT) in 1966-
67 to 17.8 MT during 2022-23. Increases in wheat and rice production were 11 and 16 folds,
respectively during the period. The cropping intensity in Haryana is around 180%. Good network
of canal water supplies, tube well irrigation, road network, market infrastructure and policy
support proved very helpful in transforming agriculture in Haryana from the times of Green
Revolution. As a consequence, Haryana was awarded the “Krishi Karman Award” for the best
performance in wheat production (11.6 MT) and productivity (4624 kg ha-1) during 2010-11 by
the Government of India.
However, the use of GR technologies showed signs of ecological imbalances. The recent
agricultural trends show signs of stagnating production due to (i) decline in factor productivity,
(ii) degrading soil health, (iii) inefficiency of current production practices, (iv) scarcity of
resources, especially good quality water and labour, (v) changes in land use, driven by socio-
economic factors and resource constraints, and good fertile lands going out of cultivation for
roads, urban development and industrial uses, etc. and (vi) policy fatigue. The problem is likely
to be further exacerbated by the climate change.
Sustainable agriculture focuses on nurturing soil health, conserving water, and reducing
pollutants through practices like organic farming, cover cropping, zero-budget natural farming,
and integrated systems, forming the foundation of sustainable food production. The concept of
permaculture arose from the combination of the words “permanent” and “agriculture”, and
describes a design system as well as a best practices framework for the creation and management
of sustainable and resilient agroecosystems. The co-founder, David Holmgren, defines
permaculture as ‘consciously designed landscapes, which mimic the patterns and relationships
found in nature, while yielding an abundance of food, fibre, and energy for provision of local
needs’. Despite permaculture starting as a method of sustainable agriculture, it has evolved to
become a holistic design process for complex (eco-) systems and is today also utilized to design
social systems. Permaculture claims to be a concept for the design of sustainable socio-
ecological land use systems, recognizing that land use systems are never separated from social
systems. For this reason, three basic ethical norms have been formulated, which have to be
considered in the design and management of permaculture systems: (1) Care for the earth; (2)
care for the people; and (3) set limits to consumption and reproduction, and redistribute
surplus .The most important aspects of permaculture for the planning of agroecosystems are (i)
site characteristics; (ii) the interaction between individual elements on several levels, from
mixed cultures at the field level to the diversity of land use at the level of the agro-
ecosystem; and (iii) the spatial arrangement of the elements as decisive drivers for multiple
functions . This strengthens the natural processes and functions of the landscape. The diversity
of land use is described in permaculture as a close integration of terrestrial and aquatic systems,
animal husbandry, and field crops in the form of annual and perennial plants .Almost none of the
methods used in permaculture have been invented by this movement itself.
In India, Bill Mollison, along with Robyn Francis, Dr.Venkat and some of his friends, pioneered
the introduction of permaculture in India. They conducted the first one-day permaculture
workshop in Hyderabad in December, 1986, followed by the first Permaculture Design
During the PDC course, it was decided to establish a 3.25 acre permaculture demonstration farm
with DDS (Deccan Development Society) in Pasthapur, Zaheerabad district, Andhra Pradesh.
The choice of venue was most relevant for India as it lies in semi-arid zone and is prone to
drought – a dominant pattern in India. The strategy was to evolve it into a self-sufficient farm for
a small family of five, to provide maximum food/fuel/fodder, and demonstrate various functions
pertaining to harvesting rainwater, arresting soil erosion, nurturing the soil and establishing a
polyculture of food crops and horticultural species. This farm was designed by Dr.Venkat with
the help of Narsanna Koppula. The Permaculture Association of India (PCAI) was formed in
November 1989. The first Indian edition of Bill’s Permaculture Designers’ Manual was brought
out jointly by the Permaculture Association of India and DDS. The run was of 2,000 copies. All
permaculture design graduates were supplied with a free copy, and a large number was sold to
various government agriculture departments. Later, Aranya Agricultural Alternatives shouldered
the responsibility for promotion of Permaculture concepts in all its projects. In the year 1997,
Narsanna and Padma started an 11.5 acres Permaculture farm in Bidakanne village, Jharasangam
mandal, Sangareddy district and started training programs for interested farmers.
Panchkula district in Haryana, the 12-acre Aanandaa Permaculture Farm stands as a model of
ecological balance, co-founded by Manisha Lath Gupta, ex-marketing chief of Uber India.
Diverging from traditional monoculture farming, Aanandaa is designed as a vibrant forest,
hosting over 6,000 trees among a rich mix of plants and shrubs. It operates on permaculture
principles, aiming to establish a self-sustaining 'food forest' by harnessing the synergies between
various plant and animal species.
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
The case study will access the factor responsible for permaculture farming and potential to solve
the agricultural and environmental challenges in Haryana and similar regions.
By understanding the factors driving permaculture farming, we can uncover new
approaches to sustainable food production.
The impact of permaculture farming on farmers can provide valuable insights into the
social and economic benefits of sustainable agriculture.
The effects of permaculture farming on the environment can contribute to efforts aimed
at mitigating the environmental impacts of agriculture. By assessing factors such as soil
health, water conservation, and biodiversity, this study can highlight the potential of
permaculture farming.
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The agricultural landscape in Haryana faces pressing challenges due to conventional farming
practices that often lead to environmental degradation and socio-economic constraints. Amidst
these challenges, the emergence of sustainable agriculture, exemplified by initiatives like the
Aanandaa Permaculture Farm, offers promising solutions. However, there is a gap in
understanding the specific factors driving permaculture farming in Haryana and its implications
for farmers and the environment. Therefore it is necessary to conduct the research aims to
provide insights into the effectiveness and sustainability of permaculture farming as a model for
agricultural development in Haryana and this study is a good stop to address this problem.
STUDY AREA
Panchkula, a district headquarters and planned city in Haryana, India, functions as a significant
satellite town to the state capital, Chandigarh, while also bordering Punjab and Himachal
Pradesh. The name "Panchkula" originates from the Sanskrit words "Panch," meaning five, and
"Kula," meaning canals, referring to the city's historical design around five canals that distribute
water from the Ghaggar River, stretching from the Chandimandir Cantonment area to the Mata
Mansa Devi Mandir area. Panchkula is an integral part of the Chandigarh capital region or
Greater Chandigarh. Like its neighbor Chandigarh, Panchkula is organized into sectors, and it is
notable for hosting the Western Command Headquarters of the Indian Army within the
Chandimandir Cantonment. The city's layout and location offer a blend of natural beauty and
strategic significance. Panchkula, together with Chandigarh and Mohali, forms the Chandigarh
Tricity, a metropolitan area with a combined population exceeding two million people. The city's
connectivity is well-established, linking it closely to Chandigarh, Mohali, and Zirakpur,
enhancing its appeal as a serene yet strategically placed urban dwelling.
Locational extent
Panchkula district of Haryana is located in Northern part of Haryana State and lies between 30o
26’: 30o 55’ North latitudes and 76o 46’: 77o 10’ East longitudes. Himachal Pradesh bound the
district, in North in the east by Uttar Pradesh, in west by Ambala district, in south by Karnal and
Kurukshetra districts. Total geographical area of the district is 898 sq. km. Aanandaa
permaculture farm (32.2211° N, 76.2099° E) is located in the boonga village of district
Panchkula in Haryana. The site is at a distance of around 28 kms from the state capital,
Chandigarh and at a distance of 243 kms from New Delhi. The average elevation of farm is 1356
ft. The total geographical area of farm is 12 hectares. The topography of the Boonga village is
Dissected Rolling Plains (Kandi).
Review of literature
Different Research papers, Articles, and secondary sources have been reviewed and these are as
below:
Aurelia Deviane (2016)in his study the focus is on exploring an alternative approach to
agriculture in Indonesia Modern agriculture systems in Indonesia have negative social and
ecological impacts, prompting a shift to small-scale permaculture practices that integrate spiritual
beliefs and the ethics of care, community, and equality to promote sustainable living
Research by Wall, Nielsen, & Six (2015) emphasizes the crucial role of soil biodiversity in
promoting human health. The study underscores the importance of maintaining healthy soils for
sustainable agriculture. Furthermore, Lehmann et al. (2020) discuss the concept and future
prospects of soil health, highlighting the need to explore innovative agricultural practices such as
permaculture to enhance soil health and fertility. This suggests that permaculture can play a
significant role in promoting soil health and sustainability.
Similarly, Saleem, Hu, & Jousset (2019) highlight microbiome biodiversity as a driver of plant
growth and soil health. These findings suggest that permaculture, with its focus on ecological
diversity and interrelatedness, can contribute to enhancing biodiversity and promoting
sustainable agriculture.
Chaudhary and Aneja (1991) examined the degree of utilization of water and land resources.
They also identified their impact on the long term sustainability of agricultural production in
Haryana.
Singh (2003) examined the sustainability of agriculture in Haryana and highlight the several
indicators of agriculture sustainability. He concluded that the slower growth in the yields is a
matter of concern. He further advocated that the rice-wheat monoculture leads to biological
problems e.g. reduced soil fertility and decline in area under legumes.
Yadav and Rai (2001) examined the sustainability of agriculture in Haryana and concluded that
the gains from green revolution are being eroded. The area under paddy and wheat has nearly
halted, the growth in their productivity is thought by many to have slowed down.
Roy and Datta (2000) worked on the ‘rice-wheat’ cropping system in Haryana and concluded
that continuous monoculture of rice and wheat in the irrigation tract of the state has led to decline
in productivity, symptoms of soil chemicalisation, outbreak of pest, water logging, and salinity.
Ladha et al. (2003) and Sukhla et al. (2004) concluded that monoculture of rice-wheat led to
second generation problem e.g. pest germination, insects and lowering of water table etc.
Hassan and Inderjit (2000) examined the land degradation in Haryana. They concluded that
excessive irrigation by canal and typical geohydrological conditions created the problem of land
degradation in Haryana.
Inderjit (1999) analyzed the factors responsible for ground water depletion in eastern Haryana
and concluded that the fall of water table in eastern Haryana is mainly due to the excessive use of
underground water in irrigation for domestic as well as industrial purposes that also include
irrigation.
Malik (1995) in his study concluded that the large shift in cropping pattern towards water
intensive crops such as rice and wheat in Punjab and Haryana and exploitation of ground water
in such a massive scale have created the problem of water depletion.
Jha (2000) worked on land degradation in Kurukshetra district and found that intensive
cultivation of rice with tube-well irrigation beyond sustainable limit led to land degradation in
this district in the form of water depletion. He further argued that with the cultivation of short
duration paddy variety popularly known as Sathi8 in the late 1980s the situation has worsened.
This variety require high amount of water.
Frąc, Hannula, Bełka, & Jędryczka (2018) emphasize the role of fungal biodiversity in soil
health. The study underscores the importance of understanding and preserving fungal
biodiversity for sustainable agriculture practices.
Verma et al. (2000) worked on the problem of water logging in Hissar district and concluded that
canal irrigation with rice-wheat cultivation has transformed the productive agricultural land into
wet desert.
Singh and Nandal (1995) concluded that the main cause of water logging and salinity in the
Haryana is canal irrigation that changed the cropping pattern in favour of water intensive crops.
Narang (2003) reported that intensive cultivation of rice and wheat crops increased the use of
chemical fertilizers in agriculture. The high use of NPK fertilizers further aggravated the
problem of soil fertility exhaustion which has led to the deterioration in the nutrients status of the
soil.
Kumar et al. (2003) examined the fertility status of soils in Haryana and concluded that decline
in the soil nutrients in different part of the state is due to imbalanced and high use of fertilizers,
less use of organic matter etc.
Mukherji and Mishra (2005) analyzed the effects of modern fertilizers on environment and
human health and concluded that irrational use of modern inputs in agriculture like Urea, DDT,
led to eutrophication which contaminated the ground water.
Walter, Finger, Huber, & Buchmann (2017) argue that smart farming is key to developing
sustainable agriculture. The study emphasizes the importance of leveraging technology and
innovative practices to achieve sustainability in agriculture.
Tripicchio et al. (2015) explore the potential of drones in promoting smart farming and
sustainable agriculture. These findings suggest that permaculture, with its emphasis on
ecological design and sustainable practices, aligns with the principles of sustainable agriculture.
Spera, Galford, Coe, Macedo, & Mustard (2016) examine how land-use change affects water
recycling in agricultural frontiers. The study highlights the complex interactions between land-
use patterns and water resources. This research area presents an opportunity to explore how
permaculture practices can mitigate the impact of land-use change on water recycling and
contribute to sustainable water management in agriculture.
Jodhka, S. Surinder (1994) suggested modernization of agriculture. Modernization should lead
not only to an increase in productivity and integration of agriculture into the broader national
market but also being about a fundamental change in the social relationship of production
leading to freeing of agriculture labour from all kinds of patronage and institutions dependency
relationships.
Shankar and Maraty (2009) demonstrate that issues which cause trouble to Indian farmers can
be divided into two categories, natural issues (drought, cyclones and floods), and institutional
issues (inputs, credit, markets, etc). All these issues increase the capital requirement with the
farmer, which in itself becomes another challenge. From the experience of farmers of north-
western India,
Chauhan et al. (2012) brings out five critical issues that the farmers face, namely (1) declining
water availability and groundwater pollution; (2) deteriorating soil health; (3) disposal of crop
residues; (4) weed flora shifts and herbicide resistance; and (5) climate change.
Shankar and Maraty (2009) demonstrate that issues which cause trouble to Indian farmers can be
divided into two categories, natural issues (drought, cyclones and floods), and institutional issues
(inputs, credit, markets, etc). All these issues increase the capital requirement with the farmer,
which in itself becomes another challenge.
Samui et al. (2005) visualized that the adaptation of advanced technology led to a significant rise
in sugarcane yield and production during the extended green revolution era (1970-80). But in the
post green revolution phase (1980-2001) had a decrease in the yield of sugarcane played a
negative role in sugarcane production. Sugarcane production declined in Maharashtra because
the area brought under this crop was rather non-traditional viz. These areas had limited water
resources and limited of other factors such as shallow depth of rooting zone and poor nutrient
status. That’s why productivity growth could not be increased. Permaculture principles have
been applied across diverse contexts, including agriculture, architecture, urban planning, and
community development.
Case studies such as "The Permaculture City: Regenerative Design for Urban, Suburban, and
Town Resilience" by Toby Hemenway (2015) showcase successful implementations of
permaculture in urban environments, highlighting its potential to address pressing sustainability
challenges.
Research Questions:
What are the key factors that have influenced the adoption of permaculture farming
practices at Aanandaa Permaculture Farm?
How does the annual cropping pattern differ in permaculture farming compared to
conventional methods?
What are the perceived impacts of permaculture farming on farmers’ livelihoods?
What social and environmental challenges are encountered with practicing permaculture
in this region?
Research Methodology:
This study is purely based on the primary data and so for the fulfilment of the research objectives
the data will be collected through primary field survey from the Aanandaa permaculture farm
village Boonga in district Panchkula . The main method that was used for this study was
qualitative, structured interviews. This method was chosen due to the flexibility of the interview
process when using structured interviews, which allows the respondents to formulate their
answers in their own preferred way and share their experiences. The method includes an
interview guide which is a list of themes that has been formulated to direct what questions to
ask . The main questions in the interview guide concerned personal background, personal impact
and benefits from practicing permaculture or agroecology, challenges noticed in the personal life
and community, as well as observed changes in the environment over time from using the
practices. Through this method, connections within systems and processes can be discovered.
This can, however, also be enabled through the use of Structured interviews. Qualitative
researchers aim to capture the understanding and process of social life in both of the methods,
which made both of them suitable for this study. Structured interviews were used in order to
answer both research questions, and the questions chosen for the interview guide were focused
on the social and ecological development experienced by the respondents, as well as challenges
they encounter. There was however flexibility in using questions that were not included in the
interview guide from the beginning, as long as those questions were useful in the process of
answering the research questions. Depending on the respondent's answer, some follow-up
questions were asked in order to get a deeper insight and explanation of the person's viewpoint
and experiences.
Research Objectives:
1. To find out the factor responsible for permaculture farming in the Aanandaa permaculture
farm.
2. To study the annual cropping pattern followed by permaculture farmers.
3. To examine out the impact of permaculture farming on farmers.
4. To analyse the effect of permaculture farming on environment.
Chapter Scheme:
Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter of the report will cover introduction, significance of the study, statement of the
problem, study area, literature review, research objectives, research questions, research
methodology and chapter scheme of the study.
Chapter 2: Factor responsible for permaculture farming
This chapter will cover the key factors responsible for the emergence and adoption of
permaculture farming, encompassing ecological, social, economic, and cultural dimensions. By
elucidating these factors, we aim to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities
associated with implementing permaculture principles in diverse agricultural contexts.
Chapter 3: Annual cropping pattern followed by permaculture farmers
In this chapter, we explore the annual cropping patterns commonly followed by permaculture
farmers, examining their strategies for crop selection, intercropping, companion planting, and
crop rotation. Through understanding these practices, we aim to uncover the principles and
benefits underlying the annual cropping systems within permaculture farming, providing insights
for sustainable agriculture and ecosystem management.
Chapter 4: The impact of permaculture farming on farmers
This chapter explores the multifaceted impact of permaculture farming on farmers, examining
how its adoption influences livelihoods, agricultural practices, and community dynamics. By
delving into the experiences of farmers who have embraced permaculture principles, this
research seeks to elucidate the broader implications of this holistic approach to farming on both
individual farmers and the agricultural landscape as a whole. Through an exploration of key
themes and case studies, this chapter aims to provide valuable insights into the transformative
potential of permaculture farming and its implications for sustainable agriculture and rural
development.
Chapter 5: The effect of permaculture farming on environment
This chapter explores the profound impact of permaculture farming on the environment,
examining its effects on biodiversity, soil health and water conservation. By adopting principles
that mimic natural ecosystems and promote ecological harmony, permaculture farming holds
promise for mitigating environmental degradation and fostering long-term sustainability.
Chapter 6: Summary and Conclusion
This chapter will cover the summary and the conclusion of the report.
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There are different concepts that are prominent and characterized by sustainable ways of farming and
living, such as permaculture, agroecology and regenerative agriculture. All these concepts can offer ways
to handle and address environmental challenges, such as climate change, soil degradation, food shortages
and unsustainable agriculture (Rhodes, 2012). All natural ecosystems are closed systems, meaning that the
need within the ecosystem is met internally, and is also the case for regenerative agriculture and
permaculture (Rhodes, 2012; Morrow, 2006). Regenerative agriculture aims to minimize external inputs of
energy through recycling these key agricultural components as far as possible. This can be put in contrast
to conventional farming, which are mainly open systems that rely on large external inputs. These inputs are
needed in order to maintain production on poor soils and to compensate for all the material that is wasted
in the production process (Rhodes, 2012). The main difference between permaculture and regenerative
agriculture is that permaculture focuses on following an initial design system that also takes the human
role into consideration, whereas regenerative agriculture has a more pragmatic character that mainly
includes adapting existing methods of farming.
Agroecology is described to be a discipline that focuses on ecological principles and the process of
creating sustainable agricultural systems, as well as including practical agricultural techniques for peasant
farmers. The practical systems also comply with social and economic sustainability, which makes
formation of social movements common with the goal of working for balanced food systems in all the
three sustainability pillars. Permaculture has in the three past decades been growing in parallel with
agroecology, and the two have overlapping main focuses. They share the interconnectedness of ecology
and agricultural production, as well as creation of social movements of mainly farmers . A similarity for
regenerative agriculture, permaculture and agroecology is support for natural production within
ecosystems through low external input practices as well as regeneration and regulatory methods.
Permaculture The term permaculture was developed by the two Australians Bill Mollison and David
Holmgren in the 1970’s and is a combination of the two words “permanent” and “agriculture” (Krebs &
Bach, 2018). Permaculture is seen as drawing together a diversity of ideas, skills and ways of living in
need for further development and rediscovery. This is done in order to enable the empowerment of us
humans in providing for our needs, at the same time as we make sure the natural capital for future
generations is increasing (Holmgren, 2013). Holmgren’s (2013) definition of the practice is “Consciously
designed landscapes which mimic the patterns and relationships found in nature, while yielding an
abundance of food, fibre and energy of provision of local needs”. Holmgren (2013) describes that a classic
permaculture strategy involves self-maintaining and regulating systems, that is the use of tough, semi-
wild and selfreproducing crop varieties and livestock breeds. Renewable services one gain from plants, 8
animals, living soil and water are used in a non-consuming way to minimize consumptive demands on
resources, emphasizing the harmonious interaction between humans and nature. One example of this is
the use of livestock to prepare the ground for planting and the use of human waste as a source of
fertility, making it possible to avoid using technology such as tractors, as well as fertilizers and pesticides.
Observation of common patterns in nature and society are made in order to use a pattern from one
context to design in another (Holmgren, 2013). The techniques commonly used and promoted in
permaculture, were not derived within the concept, but adopted from practices inspired by traditional
agroecological systems (Ferguson & Lovell, 2013).
