
Growing smart villages — 1
A framework for Global self sufficiency
The basics. In this initial section we will try to understand the top needs matched with best theories. As we go in deep, we can dig into specific solution set and various execution plans by different communities. Half of the planet going self-sustainable is something I envision to see before the next decade. Let’s stumble on further.
Permaculture n Water harvesting are the first actions to be taken as India is up for a roller coaster ride with the water gods soon.
Teaching & Implementing few of techniques it’s totally possible to make villages self sustainable in terms of water. Ground water tables will be up and healthy provided there is responsible/controlled consumption. Got tons of models working across globe. One good example is Timbatku from Andhra.
Grow Ecosystems We often farm for food. But food shouldn’t be the sole purpose of farming. We should instead be growing soil by Natural farming,integrated cropping, agro-forestry and Sustainable agriculture. Food will hence be one of the outputs. Ecosystems, if evolved, will supply enough food and resources for small communities. We need to involve other species in this and thrive with these ecosystems doing minimal/no damage to the planet. What’s more fun than having a house in woods?
Food storage and processing units can be the revenue sources. If proper storage and processing units are present, it would be possible to make trade throughout the year which will ensure sustainability.
Seed Storage facilities are nuclear weapons that every village needs to build for it’s own food security. Combine it with area’s agriculture data and use it with precision agriculture tech to be invincible. Do store the hemp, barley and moringa seeds.
Internet and computers makes us super humans. Wifi tech that connects local users and maintains the data of their actions will be on bottom of the pyramid. Using technologies like white space spectrum's or floating balloons stands on top of the pyramid. Although not all of the data is needed all the time,we can always give out the tip of internet in the form of khan academy sticks, internet boxes, wiki on a stick etc. This should pretty much help to mutate some super human capabilities.
Roads are must for trade. Although drone tech etc can be serving for the emergency situations, something cheaper and planet friendly is yet to come. For time being, With automated agri-tech and AI we can probably hack trees to grow roads like we grew root-bridges in India.
Bio-gas plants cuts out 60 to 70% of all waste. Lots of DIY stuff is out there. Most of the rural households do composting. However there is much more than just compost, to get out of our veggie scrapings.
Non Bio-degradable waste can be collected alone, Segregated and sold. Left overs can be up-cycled.
Eco water treatment plant. We surely spend a lot on treating our water but here’s a tip, let the planet do it. With 3.5 billion years of research the planet already figured out most regenerative ways to do it. Not sustainable but regenerative which is a step above sustainable. Here is an example.
Build Culture by SDG campaigns. Basically morals, ethics and culture are what drives societies. World needs to understand religions were created to preach morals in the first place. When culture is apt, everything else will move in right direction.
Energy — For the areas near to equator the best bet is solar. But in case of availability of a river a community based hydro-generator is more efficient. It’s important to have integrated power generation rather than a single system. Systems like gravity lights, bicycle generators can be kept as backup systems for disasters. But other than that it’s good to have few appliances powered with bio-gas power, few with solar and few with some other source.
Education is must. Maker spaces, tools and few computers with some 1000 TB of online courses can do lot more than what a school and few teachers can do. Schools are must as they bring together everyone who are learning. But the way we run schools need to upgrade. Teachers can be more of mentors these days. Every one can be pushed to finish schooling to get the basics. But at the rate our generation learns stuff, we shouldn’t actually be drawing any lines for anyone. Tool and machinery houses Maker spaces will have the tools and supplies but this can probably be an upgrade of a maker space. If there are enough enthusiasts in town they can probably build open source ecology machines these and they won’t need any external help for ages with machinery.
Health & welfare : With good food and clean environment we will barely need healthcare. People doing yoga and eating good food haven’t visited hospitals for decades.
Internet/toilets/roads are places govs, CSR can chip in. But frankly villages if worked together, they don’t need outside help at all.
Few policies that can be made in order to save the planet: Ban on plastic, Styrofoam use, mixed waste, open defecation,soil abuse, land fills, groundwater exploitation, mono cropping etc. More will be added here. Policies to save people: UN declared few already which can be advocated.
The list above is to be tested together yet in a single place. Please comment below if you think I missed some core element that plays a crucial role in villages.
