The completion of this SIP (Self Initiated Project) during August 2017 demanded many volunteer hours which, according to Yago and Btina, permacultors and owners of the Yantza farm, located in the south east of Ecuador, and creators of the PermaTree project, is innovative. Since it combines the technique and practice of permaculture, with the science of nutrition in detail.

The productive and nutritional capacity

The challenge was to analyze what nutrients would be provided to the people of the farm in the short, medium and long term, based on the variety of crops sown, and predict and forecast how much food would be available, to uncover the capacity of future supply.

Those questions were answered. The most important species, representing the not inconsiderable number of more than thirty, among fruits, vegetables, cereals, legumes and nuts were taken into account. These are the food groups that I consider indispensable, and without contraindications, to develop a full and long life.

Summary and conclusion

The current 4.5 hectares allow for food and economic self-sufficiency of at least 10 families after 7 to 10 years.

Considering the following important clarifications:

• Family: 2 adults + 2 children;
• 3 hectares are dedicated to cultivation for commercial economic purposes;
• 1.5 hectares are dedicated to the edible forest and orchard;
• Food wholly of vegetable origin;
• It is understood that the economic self-sufficiency generated by the commercial activity is allocated primarily to the other 2 basic necessities: clothing and housing.
• Development and production of food for tropical climate.
• Location of the property: 800 mosl.

This portion of the farm property represents only 11% of what PermaTree will allocate to the development of edible forest and human settlements, being only 6% when compared to the total size of the farm, as well as a large part of the secondary native forest , almost 50%, will remain intact.

List of food components planted / planted in 4.5 Has:

Finca Yantza Crops

Most important crops, in order of greatest quantity to minor:

1. Guanabana Annona muricata (Graviola, 3 hectares, own consumption and commercial purpose),
2. Banana and banana Musa (100 main + children: approx 600 units, 10 with fruits in sight),
3. Papaya Carica (Mamón, 15 growing trees, 7 with fruits in sight, incalculable seeds scattered),
4. Chirimoya Annona cherimola (15 young plants),
5. Yucca Manihot esculenta (Yucca, 20 x 20 m),
6. Coconut palm Cocos nucifera (40 young plants),
7. Cacao Theobroma (20 Amazonian natives bearing fruit, 5 grafts bearing fruit),
8. Pineapple Ananas comosus (Ananá, 40 young plants with complications due to small herbivores such as rabbits),
9. Avocado Persea americana (Avocado, not yet fruit, 40 between seedlings and young plants),
10. Corn Zea Mays (30mx15m),
11. Sweet lemon Citrus limetta (Lima, 5 trees already bearing fruit),
12. Lemongrass Citrus limonia (acid, 5 trees already bearing fruit),
13. Orange Citrus sinensis (1 tree bearing fruit, 20 planted),
14. Mango Mangifera indica (10 trees planted, one adult).
15. Mandarina Citrus reticulata or mandarin (1 tree bearing fruit, 10 young trees),
16. Grapefruit Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit, 15 young trees planted),
17. Frutipan Artocarpus altilis (10 young trees planted),
18. Grape of Pourouma cecropiifolia (Caimarón, 25 young plants),
19. Chonta palm tree Bactris gasipaes (Chontaduro, 3 with fruit in sight, 8 young plants),
20. Rice sativa rice (10 m x 10 m, experimental),
21. Passion fruit Passiflora edulis (8 m x 10 m),
22. Yellow Pitahaya Selenicereus megalanthus (Dragonfruit, 10 m x 13 m, approx 40 plants),
23. Macadamia nut Macadamia integrifolia (5 seedlings),
24. Carambola Averrhoa carambola (Starfruit, 2 plantines),
25. Chaya Cnidoscolus aconitifolius (Spinach tree, 4 young plants)
26. Naranjilla Solanum quitoense (Lulo, 2 young plants with fruit in sight),
27. Beans adzuki and others Vigna angularis and Phaseolus vulgaris (Beans, experimental row),
28. Lentils Lens culinaris (experimental row),
29. Huerta / vegetables: experimental, some cherry tomatoes, peppers, pumpkin, carrot.

Bees: The farm counts on bees that collaborate in the natural process of pollination, favoring the reproduction of the diverse cultivated species. In addition, honey production is planned, which may be for consumption and commercial purposes. The nutritional benefits of honey, summarized in a large contribution of energy through its high carbohydrate content (80%), are not part of this work.

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Author: Juan Manuel Esteche
Student of Nutrition at the Barceló Foundation (Bs As, Argentina), and independent researcher. Currently touring South America.

If you are interested in knowing the work in detail, which provides information on the macro (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, antioxidants, phytochemicals and minerals) of each food planted or planted, as well as the variety and quantity exact that you must generate to achieve PRODUCTIVE AND NUTRITIONAL SELF-RESPONSIBILITY, you can send an e-mail to juanesteche80 @ gmail.com.