Sustainable Rural Development More Than Growing Tomatoes

Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) Is More than Growing Tomatoes

Growing up in Germany, NorthTec Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) tutor, Klaus Lotz, cultivated a love for environment and ecology, a passion which has since taken him to Bolivia and brought him on to New Zealand.

“SRD is more than just growing tomatoes and vegetables, it is a whole lot more about working with our natural systems so that you get the most out of them without damaging them,” says Klaus.
“It is also about developing practical sustainable systems which reduce risk and harm to the environment.”

Having witnessed first-hand the ravages of indiscriminate farming and forestry in Bolivia and Brazil, Klaus believes the way forward for preserving and maintaining the environment is through adopting sustainable production practices.

“With SRD you learn holistic land management, and at a time when you can see the effects of climate change, it becomes even more important to look at better ways of doing things,” he says.

“At NorthTec we teach our students how to build structures with natural materials, wetland (riparian) planting, plant propagation, using native plants, water management, natural forest foods, food processing, beekeeping, composting and home orchards. They really learn a wide range of skills.”

And, as students continue on to the Diploma in Sustainable Rural Development they get to study crop ecology, sustainable livestock management, soil management for sustainable use and an introduction to alternative technology to harness energy, treat waste water and evaluate alternative building materials.

Klaus, who practices what he teaches by growing bananas and cherimoya for the market on his permaculture site at Matapouri, says learning SRD allows students to become innovative.

“For instance we have a student in Kaitaia who is looking growing sugarcane for producing ethanol as a biofuel; once the juice is extracted the fibre can be used to grow oyster mushrooms, or used in biogas production,” he says.

“We’re also involved with a number of other projects through our students.”

Klaus believes the Northland is ideally placed with its warm and moist climate to become a leading SRD region.

“And there is no reason why Northland can’t become a leader in sustainable development in New Zealand; we have everything we need here.”

NorthTec is the Tai Tokerau (Northland) region's largest provider of tertiary education, with campuses and learning centres in Whangarei, Kerikeri, Rāwene, Kaikohe and Kaitaia.  NorthTec also has over 60 community-based delivery points from Coatesville in rural Rodney to Ngataki in the Far North.

ENDS

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