Sustainable Agricultural Management and Landscaping through Agroforestry and Permaculture ...

163 Pages·2016·10.94 MB·English

by  Shawn Sammy Vella

James Madison University
JMU Scholarly Commons
Masters Theses The Graduate School
Fall 12-18-2010
Sustainable agricultural management and
landscaping through agroforestry and permaculture
case study: Northern Malta
Shawn Sammy Vella
James Madison University
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Recommended Citation
Vella, Shawn Sammy, "Sustainable agricultural management and landscaping through agroforestry and permaculture case study:
Northern Malta" (2010).Masters Theses. 433.
https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/master201019/433
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SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL
MANAGEMENT AND LANDSCAPING
THROUGH
AGROFORESTRY AND PERMACULTURE

CASE STUDY: NORTHERN MALTA
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL
MANAGEMENT AND LANDSCAPING
THROUGH
AGROFORESTRY AND PERMACULTURE
CASE STUDY: NORTHERN MALTA

A dissertation presented in part fulfilment of the requirements for the
Degree of Master of Science in Sustainable Environmental Resource
Management/ Master of Science in Integrated Science & Technology

SHAWN VELLA
NOVEMBER 2010

Supervisors: Dr. L.F. Cassar, Dr. A. Sacco, Dr. W. Teel
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA - JAMES MADISON
UNIVERSITY
ABSTRACT

Shawn Vella
Sustainable Agricultural Management and Landscaping through
Agroforestry and Permaculture. Case Study: Northern Malta

The farming industry in Malta is facing severe challenges. Many small patches of arable land are
being abandoned following land use conflicts and competition from foreign agricultural products.
This reduces the economic capacity of the farming industry which leads to soil erosion and land
degradation. On the other hand, the remaining land is being intensively farmed with the use of
chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Local government following EU regulations is trying to change
this trend by aiming more at promoting a sustainable future for this industry in Malta whilst
preserving the natural environments, but still many farmers choose not to practice these natural
techniques. A qualitative study lends itself best to analyse such issue, with special reference made
to the north area of Malta as a cluster sampling area. An in-depth analysis of a local farm
converting to permaculture is carried out followed by open-ended, semi-structured interviews
amongst a sample of local farmers, departmental representatives and two foreign experts. These
provided a wide perspective with which to analyse the local agricultural situation and propose
actions to be taken to improve the economic output of farming by investing in local resources,
enhancing and strengthening the biodiversity, protecting the environment and generating alternative
working opportunities, and promote agritourism. An important concept to hold on to is that of
focusing on quality rather than quantity.

Supervisors: Dr. L.F. Cassar, Dr. A. Sacco, Dr. W. Teel
‘MSc.SERM’ / ‘MS. IS&T’
NOVEMBER 2010
Keywords: AGROFORESTRY, PERMACULTURE, SUSTAINABLE, LANDSCAPING,
AGRICULTURAL MANAGEMENT.
iii
Statement of Authenticity

I, the undersigned declare that this dissertation is the result of my own research. Any figures,
conclusions and statements contained herein are mine unless otherwise stated.

Shawn Vella
November 2010

iv
To my wife Fiona,
our families
and
closest friends
for their support

v
List of Acknowledgements

I wish to thank my supervisors, Dr. L.F. Cassar, Dr. W. Teel and Dr. A. Sacco for guiding and
assisting me in this dissertation, and for their encouragement and dedication during my course of
study. I would also like to thank Dr. L. Conrad for her help and guidance.
I am indebted to the farmers, departmental employees and foreign experts for offering their time
and discussing the topic of my dissertation. Special thanks go to Mr D. Mallia for providing me
with in depth information and on site help.
Gratitude is due to Mrs Joyce Vella for proof reading my dissertation. I would also like to thank all
those who, in one way or another, offered me their help and their support, especially my newlywed
wife for her immense help, patience and encouragement.

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Table of Contents

ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................................... iii
Statement of Authenticity.................................................................................................................iv
Dedication...................................................................................................................................v
List of Acknowledgements..........................................................................................................vi

Chapter 1: Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Research motivation and problem definition ..................................................................... 2
1.3 Objectives ............................................................................................................................ 3
1.4 Structure of thesis ............................................................................................................... 3

Chapter 2: The Maltese Islands’ geographical and agricultural background ............................ 5
2.1 Location and area ...................................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Climate ...................................................................................................................................... 5
23 Geology, geomorphology and hydrology ................................................................................... 6
2.4 Soils ........................................................................................................................................ 11
2.4 Human influence on natural environment ............................................................................. 14
2.5 Reafforestation initiatives in Malta ........................................................................................ 15
2.6 Agriculture .............................................................................................................................. 16
2.7 Agroforestry and Permaculture .............................................................................................. 17

Chapter 3: Agroforestry and Permaculture ................................................................................. 19
3.1 Agroforestry: Definition ................................................................................................... 19
3.2 Precautions prior to initiating Agroforestry practices ...................................................... 21
3.3 Permaculture Solutions: Definition ................................................................................... 22
3.4 The Principles of Permaculture ......................................................................................... 24
3.5 EU Agricultural Policies ..................................................................................................... 25
3.5.1 Agriculture in the EU - the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) ........................................... 25
3.5.2 Emphasis on quality, organic farming and care for the environment ................................ 27
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3.5.3 CAP - promoting trade and generating work ................................................................ 30
3.4 Sustainable agriculture in Malta ....................................................................................... 31
3.4.1 Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs (MRRA): Organic Farming ............................ 31
3.4.2 The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) v.s. sustainable development. . 31
3.4.3 The Malta Standards Authority (MSA) .......................................................................... 32
3.4.4 Permaculture in the Maltese Islands through the Malta Organic Agriculture
Movement (MOAM) .................................................................................................................... 34
3.4.5 Revival of indigenous trees through organic farming: BIOLMED Project ..................... 35
3.4.6 Revival of the Indigenous Olive Tree: PRIMO Project ................................................... 35
3.4.7 Maltese tree varieties in permaculture farm designs ................................................... 36
3.5 Farm design based on permaculture principles ................................................................ 40

Chapter 4: Methodology ................................................................................................................. 44
4.1 Rationale ........................................................................................................................... 44
4.2 Method Selection .............................................................................................................. 44
4.2.1 Triangulation ................................................................................................................. 44
4.2.2 Qualitative study ........................................................................................................... 44
4.3 Research Procedure .......................................................................................................... 45
4.3.1 Case Study ..................................................................................................................... 45
4.3.2 Personal Interviews ....................................................................................................... 46
4.3.3 Importance of a Pilot Study ........................................................................................... 47
4.4 Analysing Data ................................................................................................................... 48
4.5 Limitations to the Study .................................................................................................... 48

Chapter 5: Permaculture farm design: A case study at Mselliet, Mġarr ................................... 50
5.1 Adapting permacultural design to brittle environments like the Mediterranean area .... 50
5.2 Understanding challenges in Malta .................................................................................. 50
5.3 Using Vensim model to simplify Maltese scenario ........................................................... 51
5.4 An attempt of permaculture farming in Malta in Mselliet farm, Mġarr ........................... 53
5.4.1 ............................................................................................................................................. 55
5.4.2 Analyse ................................................................................................................................ 55
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5.4.3 Field observation................................................................................................................. 56
5.4.4 Deducting from nature ....................................................................................................... 56
5.4.5 ............................................................................................................................................. 57
5.4.6 ............................................................................................................................................. 62
5.4.7 Identifying Zones at Razzett il-Fuklar ............................................................................ 63
5.4.7 Application of Mollison’s Permaculture Principles at Mselliet farm benefits of
placements and recommendations ............................................................................................. 73
5.4.8 Problems encountered during farm planning: .............................................................. 76
5.4.9. Concluding remarks ........................................................................................................... 77

Chapter 6: Results, Analysis and Discussion ................................................................................ 78
6.1 General picture................................................................................................................. 78
6.2 General picture ................................................................................................................. 79
6.3 Farmers’ interview results ................................................................................................ 79
6.3.1 Demographics ............................................................................................................... 79
6.3.2 Understanding past practices ....................................................................................... 82
6.3.3 Today’s change in agriculture ....................................................................................... 84
6.3.4 Use of pesticides and chemicals ................................................................................... 85
6.3.5 Market ........................................................................................................................... 88
6.3.6 Organic Farming .................................................................................................................. 89
6.3.7 The European Union ..................................................................................................... 90
6.3.8 Local authorities ............................................................................................................ 91
6.3.9 Permaculture field planning .......................................................................................... 92
6.3.10 The Future ..................................................................................................................... 93
6.4 Departmental personnel interviews ...................................................................................... 93
6.4.1 Farming situation on these Islands ............................................................................... 93
6.4.2 Which measures is Government taking to encourage farming sustainability in Malta?
94
6.4.3 Permaculture and Agroforestry represent a better way of farming practices. Do you
think it is possible and feasible to invest in these organic systems? ........................................... 95
6.4.4 What control is there over imported crops, especially from Sicily? ............................. 97
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