Ernst Götsch, born in 1948, is a Swiss farmer and researcher who works mainly in Brazil. He supports an ancient method of farming called syntropic agriculture, which helps the environment and protects plant and animal life.

Biography

Götsch was born in 1948 in Raperswilen, Switzerland, and moved to Brazil in the early 1980s. He started a farm in Southern Bahia. Before moving to Brazil, he left his job researching genetic enhancement at FAP Zürich-Reckenholz. He has given many lectures, taught courses, and provided advice to share information about his farming method, now called "syntropic agriculture." He has also taught agroforestry at The Intuitive Technology and Bio-Architecture School.

Approach

Götsch has gained recognition because of the success of his farming methods, especially on his farm called Olhos D’Água. This farm has been visited by Brazilian government groups that monitor environmental conditions. It is considered important because the land was once thought to be beyond repair by other farmers. However, in a short time, the farm has been restored to have high levels of biodiversity and productivity similar to natural forests in the Amazon region.

Götsch’s work in Latin America has helped change large areas of damaged land into productive and diverse agroforests. He created a new method to quickly improve poor soil by copying natural patterns. This method involves planting a group of carefully chosen plant species at specific distances and directions. These plants are introduced in a planned order and are regularly pruned during their growth. In just a few years, he transformed over 1200 acres of damaged land in Brazil into a productive rainforest that grows premium cacao and other crops. His students and some businesses now use the same techniques to balance commercial and environmental goals.

Some key ideas in his approach include:

• Focus on natural processes, not added nutrients: Instead of bringing in nutrients from outside, this method copies and speeds up natural growth processes to capture carbon, water, nutrients (through wildlife), and diversity in damaged or undeveloped land.
• Frequent pruning: This helps add organic material to the soil, keeps moisture in the ground, opens up tree canopies, and increases carbon capture and water movement.
• “Water is planted” (‘Água se planta!’): This involves growing plants that store water and increase water movement through the air.
• “Turn our enemies into our friends”: Farmers should grow plants that stay green all year, even during droughts, such as weeds. These should include trees like eucalypts, which, when managed properly, can help protect weaker plants and quickly produce organic matter to cover and rebuild the soil.