In 1 ha of land with sandy soil and a limited water source, how can I design a several range of cereals, vegetables, bushes and fruit trees well adapted to arid climate? the aim is to feed a small population of about 12 families of 5 persons in average.
First, you might want to get some insight about Permaculture design : There's plenty of literature on this regard such as Permaculture 1 & 2 from Bill Molison and Holmgrem, which are the original sources of permaculture design principles.
Secondly, you might also be interested to get closer from permaculturist Geoff Lawton who was financed for a permaculture project in Jordan in an arid environment : http://permaculturenews.org/2013/12/10/desert-food-forest-organic-commercial-production-three-years-update-wadi-rum-consultancy/
That might be a good start. Good luck with your project!
I find the propositions from Nicolas Salliou very appropriate. I wich you good luck too!
Thank you Nicolas for your answer and Etienne for your best wishes. The challenge is to produce all the foods needs of the families for this 1 ha, including cereals, vegetables, fruits and fodder for cattle (mainly sheep). That seems to be hard, but in the link given by Nicolas, I found interesting ideas. I should not forget to use the local knowledge that I found very attractive, farmers use the "Climatic mapping" of the land: they split the farm into 3 areas, external area with cereals and field crops (when precipitation allows), medium area (with alfalfa, almond and olive trees) and finally the focal area which is close to the water source (vegetables, herbs, potato, maize, citrus, banana...). Interesting land design, but still to optimize water efficiency with drip irrigation and water captation.
Hi
You said sandy soil and in a desert? Am I correct? well in that case you will not produce enough foof for an int.
The first question to ask is how much water for irrigation you ve got. and then you got to know that in the desert you need twice as much as in normal condition that is in favorable areas you generally need 5000 to 10000 cubic meter per hectare . So in this case you will need 10 to 20000 cubic meters. after this you need to have the best practices, Tools and crops mixed in a way to optimize and sustain production. But I doubt that you will be able to feed 5 amillies of five people. NOWAY !!!
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