Syntropic farming was developed in Brazil, where there are now large-scale plantations
Move over biodynamic and organic farming — there is a new farming technique on the block, in which
fruit and vegetable crops are grown in conjunction with trees.
Known as syntropic farming, it is a regenerative agricultural cropping method developed in Brazil that aims to mimic
the way forest plants work symbiotically to grow in abundance.
The horticulturalist (interviewed for this article) initially scoffed at a suggestion to plant eucalyptus trees alongside fruit trees.
"My brain just went into conniptions. It went 'Eucalypts, no way. They're hungry, they're thirsty, they're mongrel things'.
"I had to tell my brain to shut up."
She ended up taking the advice and has not regretted the decision.
"As we're using them [eucalypts] in the system, they actually act like a water nutrient pump," she said.
"They're able to access nutrition and minerals that are right deep down in the soil and bring them up, and through pruning
it then releases it into the sub-soil."
At a syntropic farm in sub tropical Australia, avocados have been planted alongside limes, bananas, paw paws and
eucalyptus trees.
Using forest concepts in food production
Intensive pruning of large tree species is among the key principles of the syntropic farming system.
It is the brainchild of Swiss farmer Ernst Gotsch, who purchased 480 hectares of degraded farming land in Brazil in 1984.
Mr Gotsch spent some time observing his natural rainforest surroundings and learning from the native indigenous
people, before using his newfound knowledge to grow his own crops.
Australian farmer Thiago Barbosa has worked with Mr Gotsch on successive syntropic farming projects in Brazil and is a
forerunner of the technique in Australia.
"The most abundant system that we have on the planet is the rainforest, and with crops we are trying to move to
abundance," he said.
Other methodologies taken from the forest include the maximisation of photosynthesis through controlled
access to sunlight, natural ground covers and natural succession.
"One plant's always nurturing the new generation to come so there are always young plants under big trees and these
big trees are always nurturing the forests of the future," he said.
Long-term benefits outweigh high start-up costs
The fewer inputs required when the system is established is considered the major benefit.
However, Ms Hawes said starting out took some money and planning.
"The mapping and the planning takes a little bit of time and the initial cost, because there are so many plants going into
the system, is a reasonable amount," she said.
"Beyond that point there's very little cost."
Ms Hawes believes the system also makes harvesting easier.
"The workers are out working in the shade rather than the hot sun," she said.
"And rather than bringing in harvesters just for a short period of time for seasonal produce, you can actually keep good workers
on the ground all the time because you've got such a diversity of crops."
More
A lot more
No Farming reason this wouldn't work in Thailand.
Changing a Farmers mindset ... that's another issue