Benefits and challenges of practicing permaculture : – the perspectives of both immigrants and indigenous people

Abstract: Modern agricultural production is being intensified worldwide and is often based on monoculture cultivation and the use of chemical pesticides. In Guatemala, the access to land suitable for farming is limited and many people struggle with land acquisition, malnutrition and discrimination. This is the situation for indigenous Mayans in the region of Lake Atitlán, where this qualitative study took place. An alternative approach is permaculture, where the focus is on regenerative living, self-sufficiency and reducing resource consumption. The concept is based on traditional knowledge that has been developed and practiced over time by indigenous people. The aim of the study is to examine how permaculture is practiced by different actors in the area, which includes both foreigners and indigenous Mayans. The research questions focus on how practicing permaculture can lead to ecological and social development in the area as well as what different challenges are encountered. The methods used in this field study was participant observation in the area and semi-structured interviews with ten respondents, both foreigners and indigenous people, who practice permaculture or similar methods. The result has shown that the respondents have experienced an increased access to food that provides a varied and healthy diet, as well as abundant and thriving ecosystems in their surrounding environment. Many of the indigenous respondents have chosen the practice in order to have enough food for a living and reduce their dependence on income and economic structures. In general, foreigners chose this way of life due to its simplicity and their longing to get away from a modern, hectic lifestyle. The respondents have experienced different challenges from current structures, but they are all positive about spreading the knowledge and practice.