Syntropic farming is a way of growing food inspired by how a forest functions. Instead of focusing on what humans need from the land, this method suggests that we think about how all living beings depend on each other and how we can work together. By observing and learning how plants, animals, and microorganisms interact in a forest, we can mimic those interactions and create cultivation systems that are beneficial to the entire ecosystem. The idea is to replicate the way the forest organizes itself, allowing each part of the system to contribute something valuable and maintain a natural balance.

It is based on key principles such as plant diversity, vertical stratification, biomass accumulation, soil cover, crop rotation, plant succession, nutrient cycling, observation and adaptation, as well as efficient water use.

In terms of climate change, this approach functions as a carbon sink, storing carbon in biomass and soil. Additionally, it reduces the need for agrochemicals and tillage, mitigating CO2 emissions and improving crop resilience to extreme weather events.

Syntropy is the tendency of a system to evolve towards states of greater order, harmony, and organization, similar to how puzzle pieces come together to form a complete and coherent picture.

Let’s think about this in a simple way. What happens when you see a plant grow and bear fruit? The plant has specialized systems (for photosynthesis, reproduction, seed dispersal, etc.) that work together so that the whole plant is healthy and can continue to grow. Syntropy is the equivalent of saying that everything in the plant is designed to help and improve itself. Its entire being is coordinated to sustain life and facilitate the continuity of the species.

Certainly! Syntropic farming, influenced by natural efficiency, is versatile and adapts to a variety of environments and climates, considering the particularities of each location. Its success lies in several crucial aspects:

• Meticulous observation: It is essential to understand the dynamics of each ecosystem, including the climate, which dictates what flora and fauna can thrive, as well as soil conditions and water management.
• Practical implementation: Acting in harmony with nature is required, favoring joint processes rather than combating them.
• Patience and determination: Development times vary depending on climate, soil type, precipitation… so it is essential to adjust expectations to each ecosystem.

The key to success lies in the ability to integrate and replicate the complexities of natural ecosystems in agroforestry management, using observation and adaptation as primary tools.

Although based on ancestral and traditional principles of many cultures, syntropic farming was formalized and promoted by Ernst Götsch, a Swiss farmer who has worked for decades on his farm in Southern Bahia, Brazil.

Götsch combined agroecological principles with techniques inspired by tropical forests, creating an innovative and regenerative agricultural system that mimics the structure and function of natural ecosystems. On his farm, Götsch implemented practices such as cultivating multiple layers of vegetation and using soil management techniques to regenerate degraded land.

His pioneering work has been instrumental in the development and dissemination of syntropic farming as a sustainable and promising practice in modern agriculture.