Domain 2 · Ecological and Regenerative Practitioners
Narsanna Koppula
Dryland regeneration, water self-reliance and community knowledge
Narsanna Koppula gives this collection an essential Indian and community-centred perspective. His work demonstrates permaculture not as an imported lifestyle, but as a practical way to strengthen dryland farming, traditional knowledge, water security and rural self-reliance.
Distinctive contribution
Through Aranya Agricultural Alternatives, Narsanna and Padma Koppula developed a functioning rainfed farm and supported farmers and tribal communities with water harvesting, tree-based farming, biodiversity, seed knowledge and low-input agriculture. His teaching connects permaculture with Indian traditions of community self-reliance rather than treating local knowledge as an optional cultural decoration.
Key drivers and guiding ideas
Two especially useful ideas are jala swaraj, water self-reliance, and gram swaraj, self-reliant community. Water catchment comes first because crop diversity, food security and autonomy depend upon it. Participation also matters: farmers and communities are knowledge holders and decision makers, not passive recipients of an externally designed development package.
Mark’s interpretation
Influence on my work
Narsanna’s work resonates with my Indian upbringing, my exploration of Ayurveda and Vrikshayurveda, and the water and food designs for Vila Pinheiro. He shows how ancient knowledge and modern permaculture can meet without one swallowing the other. His example also challenges the Academy to include voices from climates and cultures too often treated as case studies rather than sources of theory.
My critical reading
Claims about ideas uniquely coined by Narsanna must be sourced carefully. The strongest public evidence concerns dryland regeneration, water, community participation, women’s agricultural knowledge and traditional practice. That substantial record needs no embellishment.