selfsufficient

Selfsufficient refers to the ability of an individual, household, or community to meet its essential needs without ongoing external assistance. In common usage it encompasses food, energy, shelter, and basic services, though the degree of independence varies widely.

The term is closely related to self-sufficiency and autarky. Etymology traces to self + sufficient; usage appears in early modern English. In economics, autarky describes a state in which a country attempts to produce all goods domestically, limiting imports and dependencies.

In practice, selfsufficiency is pursued through a mix of methods: growing and preserving food, renewable energy generation, water collection and treatment, waste reduction, repair and reuse of goods, and developing practical skills. Off-grid living or homesteading are common expressions at the household level; communities may form cooperatives or ecological villages to share resources.

Benefits include increased resilience to supply disruptions, reduced environmental impact, and greater control over consumption. Limitations include upfront costs, required knowledge, and the reality that complete independence from external markets is rare in modern economies; many strategies emphasize reducing dependence rather than achieving absolute self-sufficiency.

Historical examples range from subsistence farming communities to contemporary eco-villages. Media coverage often highlights individual off-grid homes, while policy discussions focus on energy independence, food security, and sustainable development.