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The
Drylands Permaculture Institute - IPÊTERRAS
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Mission Statement:
To
contribute towards the sustainable development of the semi-arid
region of
Northeast Brazil, disseminating - through politico-environmental
education and
the strengthening of the local ('Sertanejo') popular culture - practices
and
alternatives based on the principals of permaculture aimed at living
in harmony with this semi-arid climate.
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The entrance of the IPÊTERRAS
(base of theinstitution)
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The Drylands Permaculture Institute
- IPÊTERRAS, is a not-for-profit social and environmental Non-Governmental
Organisation based in Irecê, in the central part of the State of
Bahia.
The aims of the Institute are to develop
and spread the use of agricultural practices appropriate to the semi-arid
climate of the region founded on the principles of Permaculture (the creation
of an ecological farm based on diversified, year-round agricultural production
and the use of natural renewable resources such as solar energy and the
capture of rainwater, etc), combat the rural exodus of young people, students
and farmers / agricultural labourers through enviro-political education
and organisation, and to revitalise traditional regional culture through
the study, recording and promotion of cultural groups and the organisation
of cultural events.
The Institute was founded by students
and technicians of the Agricultural School of the Region of Irecê
(ESAGRI) and officially registered in April 1997.
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School visiting IPETERRAS farm for
ecolgocial walk / environmental education
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Institute is organised around 4 main objectives: |
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| 1)
The ecological farm: To develop and diffuse agricultural
practices appropriate to the semi-arid climate, while respecting the principles
of Permaculture, aiming for sustainability, combating desertification and
maintaining the collective spirit of the Ecological Farm; |
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| 2)
Politico-environmental education: To motivate children, young
people and adult (farmers) to use these appropriate techniques and raise
awareness among them of the importance of preserving the local ecosystem
(Caatinga); |
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Culture: To revitalise and strengthen
regional popular culture through the encouragement and support of artistic
groups and cultural events; |
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Institutional development and political articulation: To
consolidate the organisation at the institutional level and to participate
in the control and formulation of public policy with the aim of contributing
towards the construction of a more just and sustainable society. |
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Important Partnerships in the region:
- GARRA (Group of Rural Environmental Support and
Resistence)
- STR (Rural Worker's Union) from Barro Alto
- Permaculture Institute of Bahia
- ASA (Articulation of the Semi-Arid)
- CPT (The Pastoral Commision of the Earth)
- The Popular Culture Coalition- region of Irecê
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