The 9,000-year-old farming model
Imagine you’re an Aussie corn farmer. Imagine that you could travel back 9,000 years to what is now Mexico. You’re standing in a field planted with corn. Not the varieties you recognise, but unmistakably corn.
There’s something else that’s different from what you’re used to. In fact, it’s dramatically different from what you see on your own farm.
Amongst the corn you see other crops. You see beans. You see squash. You see tomatoes, and chillies, jicama and amaranth.
This is your first sight of a milpa, the traditional farming ecosystem across Mesoamerica, the region that includes present-day Mexico and Central America.
Research indicates the milpa system has existed for at least 9,000 years, making it a fundamental part of Mexican agricultural history. The milpa model was more than a farming method to Mesoamericans. It had spiritual significance, representing a deep bond between humans, nature and gods.
The name milpa comes from two Nahuatl words, milli (planted plot) and pan (upon). Corn, beans and squash were the foundation crops of milpa farming. In fact, they were called the three sisters. Why were they planted together?
They were called this because of the mutually beneficial relationship that they have. Farmers learnt that each plant uniquely enhanced and supported the others. Corn offered a natural trellis for climbing beans. Beans enhanced farm productivity by enriching the soil. Squash’s large leaves and ground-hugging nature suppressed weeds and retain moisture.
This approach creates a diverse, sustainable garden ecosystem that provides a balanced nutritional diet for people.
Let’s leave ancient Mesoamerica and return to 21st century Australia. How can today’s farmers benefit from milpa farming? And how can consumers benefit from this practice?
Milpa farmers understood the link between soil health and farm productivity. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that scientists began to formally study soil fertility. German scientist Justus von Liebig identified potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus as essential plant nutrients – something that every home gardener is aware of.
(Mesoamericans didn’t know why beans enhanced crop growth. It was later revealed that bean plants add nitrogen to the soil.)
Unfortunately, von Liebeg’s research ultimately led to the widespread practice of adding minerals to soil. This in turn has brought us to our modern dependence on chemicals – at the expense of soil’s natural living ecosystem.
His work was followed by the 20th century understanding of organic matter’s role and, more recently, studies on the link between soil health, human health, and the micronutrient content of food.
Plants get their nutrients from soil. Obviously, the healthier the soil, the more nutritious the produce grown in it. The milpa farming model enhances soil health without the use of chemicals. In turn, this benefits the environment and the organisms living in healthy soil.
Milpa farming requires a change of farming practices. You might think it’s impractical to apply it to broadacre crops such as wheat. However, farmers are adapting, planting alternate rows of wheat and, say, chickpeas.
Other Australian farmers might co-plant sorghum and legumes (chickpeas, lentils, peas). Or fast-growing radishes and slow-growing broccoli.
Farming technology and science have come a long way in 9,000 years. And yet, more and more farmers are rediscovering the benefits of ancient techniques like milpas.
At IIF, our farming partners are passionate about enhancing soil health, protecting biodiversity and naturally boosting food nutrition.
You can support our farmers by joining the IIF Co-operative. You can read about the benefits here.
