Can agriculture save the planet? If we are referring to industrialagriculture, certainly not, given that it is among the main causes ofpollution, exploitation of resources, exploitation of labor and oftenalso the cause of wars. Even organic farming on an industrial scalecannot be a viable path, because, even when it respects the environment(and this is not always the case, in fact it almost never is) itcertainly does not respect all the other social issues. ---- A validanswer is peasant agriculture, that done by the many farmers whocultivate the land respecting it, with the use of few means, withoutentering into the logic of the market, producing for their own needs butalso as a source of income , creating networks with other similarrealities. Fortunately, more and more young and old are choosing thispath, that of living by working the land. And there would be many moreif access to land was within everyone's reach. Today, those who chooseto live on the land and do not already own a piece of it, nor have thefinancial ability to purchase it, find themselves forced to give it up,while hectares and hectares of land are left uncultivated and could beused with enormous benefits for the entire community . But land isconsidered exclusively as private property and not as an essentialcommon good, as water or the air we breathe should be.In Sicily many young farmers are organized into networks. One of these,very active, is the Sicily Permaculture Network which brings togethermany realities scattered throughout Sicily. From this experience,various Mutual Aid groups have arisen over the years (Palermo, Madonie,Iblei and two in the province of Catania) which, with different methodsand organisation, bring together neighboring entities which findthemselves carrying out work together, supporting each other, to supportorganizations that are starting a project, in short to create community.Nothing new actually, given that once upon a time it was normal to allmeet together to carry out some jobs and the sense of community wasstill alive.Some of these realities support themselves only with the work of theland, perhaps by diversifying production and activities, for example byoffering hospitality, organizing events, courses, etc. Others, however,unable to earn a sufficient income, take on other jobs.The direct sale of products (in the company, in markets, with solidaritypurchasing groups, etc.) is certainly the preferential route chosen bythese small businesses. Direct contact with consumers is fundamental notonly for an economic advantage on both sides, but because it representsthe sharing of a common project.Of course it's not easy, there's a lot of work and sometimes theseprojects to return to the land fail. In addition to the economicdifficulties, there are also difficulties linked to the climate whichincreasingly presents exceptional events (droughts, heat waves, floods,etc.) which put production and structures at risk. Nowadays, whenplanning an agricultural activity, it is necessary to take thesephenomena into account and try to mitigate the effects. Then there isthe emergency of fires which in some areas are now a recurring problem,almost an appointment rather than an emergency. We are also trying toremedy this: first with greater care of the territory and then with thespread of grassroots organized groups that carry out preventionactivities and are ready to intervene in the event of fires. Afirefighting group that has been active for several years is located inthe Iblei territory and was born from the Mutuo Aiuto Ibleo group, othergroups are forming around Sicily.It's not easy, but it's possible and necessary. A real change in societymust start from the land and must see a close alliance between those whocultivate the land and those who live from something else. A necessaryalliance to be able to experiment with forms of organization detachedfrom the rules of capitalist society.Antonio D'Amicohttps://www.sicilialibertaria.it/_________________________________________A - I N F O S N E W S S E R V I C EBy, For, and About AnarchistsSend news reports to A-infos-en mailing listA-infos-en@ainfos.ca
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