Featured image: Gulaiym Baiturova
In this second part of our article series, we share the story of Gulaiym Baiturova, who became a participant in the collaborative initiative of Centralasiengrupperna and El-Too in 2021 – a partnership aimed at promoting permaculture principles to provide innovative solutions for climate change adaptation in North Kyrgyzstan. Since then, Gulaiym has been practicing permaculture both as an agricultural practice and a life philosophy, continuing to transform her family’s 6-acre garden into a thriving example of sustainable agriculture.
- Tell us a little about yourself. How long have you been farming and where is your permaculture garden located?
My name is Gulaiym Baiturova and I am from Bokonbaev village, Issyk-Kul region.
Since 2021, I have been fully dedicated to the study and practice of permaculture, and it has been a real eye-opener for me. I began to understand how fruits and vegetables can interact with each other to create natural harmony, and I learned how to grow them without the use of chemicals. Although gardening has always been a part of my life, it is since 2021 that permaculture has taken a special place in it.
Our 6-acre family garden has now become not just a source of fresh produce, but an inspiration for us. We grow organic fruits and vegetables on 3-4 acres, putting care and love into each plant. This approach has not only improved our harvest, but also changed my attitude to the land and nature.
- What inspired you to apply permaculture principles to your farm?
The main motivation for me was the desire to provide my family with organic food and to take care of my health. Realizing that you can not only get a quality harvest, but also earn money from it, was a pleasant bonus. Fruits and vegetables grown without chemicals not only tasted better, but also helped us avoid allergies and various diseases. And their ability to keep fresh longer was another important advantage for me.
- What knowledge or skills obtained during the project were most useful to you?
All the knowledge I learned was incredibly useful. One of the most valuable things I learned was how to grow different crops together so that they don’t disturb each other. I also learned how to use environmentally friendly crop protection products, care for trees and recycle my crops.
Biohumus has played an important role in my farm, becoming beneficial to the soil and budget-friendly. In 2021, I bought Californian worms for only 2000 Kyrgyz soms (which equals about 23 USD) and a year later we increased their quantity and started producing biohumus steadily. This became a source of additional income for our family, and in 2024 we had particularly good results.
The training showed that even in a small garden you can achieve a lot. The products grown with my own hands not only became the basis for delicious and healthy dishes, but also inspired me to keep learning. It turned out that there is always something to be surprised and mastered.
- What changes have you noticed in your garden since implementing permaculture? How has it affected your life and the life of your family?
After implementing the principles of permaculture, our life has changed significantly. We have become more organized, instead of throwing away or burning fallen leaves, we now use them for compost, and we turn animal manure into a valuable resource for improving the soil.
We have planted a variety of crops on our plot, paying attention to each stage of their growth. This has affected not only the harvest, but also our family. We have learned to work effectively together, share knowledge and use things that previously seemed unnecessary, such as leaves or wool.
Permaculture has helped us not only to receive a stable income, but also to become closer to each other. Seeing how our land comes to life has become a real inspiration for us to move forward.
“For me, permaculture is not just a way of working with the land, it is a philosophy of life that makes it better for both us and nature”
- Have you noticed interest in permaculture among other people? Have you shared your knowledge with anyone?
When people see our garden, they often ask “How did you manage to do this? What do you do?” I am always happy to share my experience and tell them how to better organize plantings so that vegetables and fruits are tasty, high-quality and ripen on time.
Many were inspired by our example and began to study permaculture, applying its principles to themselves. I also shared my knowledge with relatives and told them how to properly care for plants. Now their gardens have become even bigger and more beautiful than ours, and this brings me great joy. Seeing how my experience helps others is really nice.
- What advice would you give to other farmers who are considering permaculture? Is there anything you are particularly proud of or would like to highlight?
I would advise you not to hesitate too long. Permaculture is a challenge that requires patience, but the result is worth the effort. Even in a small area, it is possible to create an ecosystem that brings real benefits. I am proud that I have been able to implement these principles and succeed. I am especially happy about our greenhouse, which was built thanks to a grant and has helped us double our harvest. But what inspires me the most is when my neighbors start their own experiments inspired by my example.