What farming philosophy combines "permanent" and "agriculture"?

The term "permaculture" is derived from the combination of "permanent" and "agriculture," reflecting a holistic approach to farming that values sustainable practices designed to create agricultural systems that are productive, sustainable, and self-maintaining over the long term. This philosophy emphasizes the use of ecological principles to design and manage agricultural systems, which work in harmony with natural ecosystems rather than against them, promoting biodiversity, water conservation, and organic waste utilization.

Permaculture incorporates a range of techniques such as crop rotation, agroforestry, and the use of perennial plants that can continue to produce year after year without the need for replanting. It also considers the integration of agricultural systems with other aspects of land use, such as housing and waste management, creating a synergistic environment where everything works together efficiently. This comprehensive approach makes permaculture distinct in its focus on the long-term sustainability of both agriculture and the environment.

Other approaches like conventional farming, sustainable agriculture, and organic farming have specific focuses or guidelines but do not encapsulate the full spectrum that permaculture represents in terms of integrating and designing permanent landscapes that can sustain agricultural productivity indefinitely.