The Dead Sea Valley Permaculture project
Geoff Lawton and Sindhu are internationally renowned Permaculture teachers and design consultants who rely on the Australian born system of Permaculture as the basis for their work. Their story in the Middle East is a success story, rare in the politically tumultuous climate which rules the lives of many in this part of the globe. They have solved and offered positive solutions to many of the environmental problems typical to the Middle east; water shortage, highly salted land, agricultural production, and unsustainable housing.
Exporting this system to over 17 different countries around the world they are part of a growing global movement which uses permaculture techniques to provide human needs in an environmentally responsible way. Their work has led them all around the world and has focused on relieving drastic environmental problems in many places of great need and often conflict.
Commissioned in August 2000 by a Japanese aid organization to work in association with a Jordanian aid organization their first visit involved the design of a flat 10 acre, highly salted, very alkaline, piece of land in the Dead Sea Valley, 400m below sea level and just a few kilometers from the Palestinian border. The aim was to demonstrate sustainable farming practices. A plan was drawn up and accepted and arrangements were made for them to return in December during the cooler time of the year.
During the December visit they each taught the 72 hour Permaculture Design Certificate course, Sindhu to the women and Geoff to the men; when working in a Moslem culture they have found this to be the most beneficial way to teach. Also on this trip they directed the installation of permaculture earthworks, which included the construction of one and a half kilometers of water harvesting swales, (contour ditches, with an un-compacted earth mound on the lower side which is typically used as a tree growing system). As well, a small in surface area, but deep dam was also installed as part of the design. This method of dam construction is essential in an area where evaporation is extreme.