Third time monitoring of the Zero Hunger project in Colombia

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The socialization, training and planting of 1001 seedlings of fruit trees (papaya, avocado, blackberry, passion fruit and lemon) with Groasis Waterboxx® plant cocoon technology, in 13 areas of Almaguer, was carried out in February 2018. In this way, the First Phase of the Zero Hunger by 2030 Project began between WFP (PMA) Colombia and the Groasis Ecological Water Saving Technology of the Netherlands.

There are 197 beneficiary women, members of the group AMURA, who with enthusiasm, optimism and predisposition received 5 enumerated Waterboxx® plant cocoons each, with 5 fruit tree plants. In the same way, each group received a seedling that will serve as the control group and these seedlings were planted without a Waterboxx® plant cocoon.

During the week of May 21 to 25th, we carried out the third monitoring in each of the beneficiary areas (sidewalks). 

The vegetative material for the implementation of this first phase of the project with the Groasis Waterboxx® plant cocoon, consists of:

  • Lemon Tahiti (Citrus latifolia);
  • Avocado Lorena (Persea americana);
  • Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis);
  • Blackberry Castilla (Rubus glaucus);
  • Papaya Tahinu (Carica papaya).

The registry of data and evaluation methods will be evaluated monthly to the following agronomic variables:

  • Height of the tree: it is measured in centimeters (cm)., From the ground to the apex of the stem, using a tape measure;
  • Cup diameter: with the use of a measuring tape, measure the longest branches of the trees, and express it in centimeters (cm).
  • Water consumption: the water consumption will be measured every month, using a graduated rule;
  • Behavior and adaptability of crop in Waterboxx® plant cocoon: the mortality and adaptability rate expressed in percentage will be evaluated;
  • Difference between control groups: comparing the vegetative development between the trees planted with the Groasis Waterboxx Technology and control group/control.

The monitoring was done to each of the listed Waterboxxes. In addition, the recommendations given to each group are considered, such as: fertilization, fumigation, pruning, use of Growsafe, plating or clearing, drainage, and other indicated tips, with the purpose of having a 100% optimization of the Groasis Waterboxx® plant cocoon. 

Monday, May 21th:

AREA 1 – PITAYAS

Leader is Jesucita Muñoz. It has a group of 21 members, who received 105 Waterboxxes with Tahiti lemon. The property is square, approximately 40x40 meters, without trees, only intended for the use of the Waterboxx® plant cocoon. In the front, coffee crops are observed. The property is located on a slope of medium length.

  • 105 Waterboxx® plant cocoons have been planted + 2 control trees = 107 Tahiti lemon trees.
  • General water saving: 100%
  • General mortality: 0%
  • Control trees are in good condition.

Recommendations and/or observations in Pitayas:

  • Pitayas has not made the recommendations given in the second monitoring: Fertilization and manual pruning of leaves;
  • Lemon cultivation has grown little, due to lack of fertilization. In addition, forming pruning and preventive fumigation should be carried out to eliminate the aphid, a plague that affects the new leaves and the top of the plant;
  • We request greater commitment from the members of this group.

AREA 2 – HERRADURA

Leader is Erledy Males. Group with 10 beneficiaries. 51 passion fruits (50 in Waterboxx + 1 control). The property is approximately 25 x 50 meters, with trees: guano, guava, ash, coffee. The ground is not completely flat, it has certain inclinations.

  • 50 Waterboxx® plant cocoons have been planted with passion fruits + 1 control tree;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality of plants with Waterboxxes: 0%;
  • The control group is still alive;
  • Currently, rainfall is constant in the area.

Recommendations and/or observations in Herradura:

  • In the second monitoring it was recommended: prune the trees from the ground, to obtain luminosity (rays of the sun). However, this has not been possible, because the owner of the lot did not allow it. This condition, of few hours of sun, does not allow the maracuyas to develop their height (in comparison with crops of other sidewalks);
  • It is necessary, plating or cleaning the lot and its surroundings to avoid the presence of pests and / or diseases;
  • Preventive fumigation;
  • Fertilization, with the aim of improving the soil, it is necessary to add substrate or any type of fertilizer available in the area and thus provide greater water retention, permeability and good drainage for the tree;
  • Cultivation with its columns and wire already installed.

AREA 3 – RUIZ

It is the smallest group with 6 beneficiaries and 30 Waterboxxe have been delivered. The leader is Osvilda Martínez, and the species they chose was papaya. The ground is flat, without greater inclinations.

  • 30 Waterboxx® plant cocoons have been planted with papaya + 1 control tree;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality of plants with Waterboxxes: 13% (4 papayas died. In the second monitoring, the plant with number 1005 was listed as dead. Now, in the third monitoring the seedling has sprout and presents new leaves);
  • Control group is dead.

Recommendations and/or observations in Ruíz:

  • The Ruíz group has carried out all the recommendations made in the Second Monitoring;
  • The crop is in good condition;
  • The lot is clean without pests or diseases;
  • Fertilization performed;
  • The Waterboxx was removed from the plants 994 - 1008 - 1009 - 1014 - 1015.

 20180521 Removing the Waterboxx plant cocoon in Ruiz

Removing a Waterboxx® plant cocoon #1008, in Ruíz

20180521 Papaya number 1008 without the Waterboxx in Ruiz

Papaya 1008 without a Waterboxx® plant cocoon, in Ruíz.

Tuesday, May 22th:

AREA 4 – YUNGA

The leader is Ana María Gómez, in Yunga we have two species of fruit trees: avocado and lemon. There are 16 beneficiaries, with a total of 80 Waterboxxe, divided into two properties. The first property (box 436 to 470) is next to the road, with slight inclinations and a dimension of approximately 16x25 meters. Here they have banana and corn cultivation.

The second property is next to the school (box 471 to 515) with a dimension of 1/2 hectare with medlars, mango trees and guabo.

  • 80 Waterboxx® plant cocoons have been planted with avocado and lemon + 1 control tree;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality of plants with Waterboxxes: 1% (# 488);
  • Control group is in good condition.

Recommendations and/or observations in Yunga:

  • The plants have fallen leaves, but as this is a process of nature;
  • Preventive fumigation by cricket shaker presence;
  • Fertilization performed.

AREA 5 – ALTILLO

The leader is Nery Rosero, there are 12 beneficiaries who received 60 Waterboxxes and 61 small trees (30 avocado + 1 control tree avocado + 30 lemons). They have a very well adapted property, with slight inclinations, of approximately 1/2 hectare with certain guava trees.

  • 60 Waterboxxes have been planted with avocado and lemon + 1 control group of avocado;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality: 2% ( #618);
  • Control group of avocado, is in good condition.

Recommendations and/or observations in Altillo:

  • The plants have fallen leaves, but as this is a process of nature;
  • Preventive fumigation by cricket shaker presence;
  • Fertilization performed.

AREA 6 – YACUANAS BAJO

Ana Rubi Navia is the leader of this group, with 10 beneficiaries. There are 50 Waterboxx® plant cocoons delivered and 51 small trees (24 avocados + 1 avocado control tree + 26 Tahiti lemons). It is a very notorious group, since the first day of the socialization they have been very involved with the project. They have followed all our instructions and is the only group that, considering that their property is too steep (high hill) and with loose (slippery) ground, have placed protection fences against rains and other factors that affect the boxes and their saplings.

The size of the property is approximately 20x100 meters. It has a few trees, which serve as a shade before the inclement sun. They have planted 3.5 pounds of peanuts to nourish the soil and take advantage of the space of the place.

  • 50 Waterboxx® plant cocoons have been planted with avocado and lemon + 1 control tree of avocado;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality: 0%;
  • Control group of avocado, is in good condition.

Recommendations and/or observations in Yacuanas Bajo:

  • All the recommendations given have been made: training pruning and fertilization;
  • Land completely clean.

Wednesday, May 23th:

AREA 7 – ELVECIA

The leader is Aurelia López, the terrain is approximately 30x40 meters, flat without inclinations. It is a land with corn cultivation. There are 13 beneficiaries with 66 maracuya trees (65 in a Waterboxx® plant cocoon + 1 control tree).

  • 65 Waterboxx® plant cocons have been planted with passion fruits + 1 control tree;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality: 0%;
  • Control group is in good condition;
  • 1 passion fruit plants have mysteriously disappeared: # 275 of Angélica Ordoñez.

Recommendations and/or observations in Elvecia:

  • Plating and cleaning of the land completed;
  • It is necessary to continue with the fertilization of the crop in general;
  • In addition, preventive fumigation by cricket shaker presence;
  • Presents columns for the tutor.

AREA 8 – GONZALO

Leader is Sandra Muñoz, with a group of 13 beneficiaries, 65 Waterboxxes and 66 seedlings delivered (65 + 1 control tree). The property is inclined, approximately 100x50 meters with corn cultivation and native trees such as pendo, coal that provides shade and will serve as a tutor for maracuya. Additionally, they have planted 20 pounds of peanuts (2 seeds) to nourish the soil and take advantage of spaces between the Waterboxxes.

  • 65 Waterboxxes have been planted with passion fruits + 1 control tree;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality: 0%;
  • Control group is still small.

Recommendations and/or observations in Gonzalo:

  • Preventive fumigation due to the presence of gout (a fungus that affects the bud and the new leaves of the plant);
  • Dosage: copper sulphate in the proportion of 10 to 15 grams per liter of water, do three fumigations in total, one every 15 days;
  • It is necessary to install rods a little longer until the wire is installed for tutoring (Alcaldia Municipal has promised to provide the wire).

AREA 9 – PALIZADA

Its leader is Hermilda Hoyos. The property is next to the road, it is flat, with a dimension of 10x90 meters approximately, with orange trees to provide shade. The group is made up of 18 beneficiaries. 90 Waterboxxes and 91 Passion fruit seedlings (1 control tree) were delivered.

  • 90 Waterboxx® plant cooons have been planted with Passion fruits + 1 control tree;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality: 0%;
  • Control group is in good condition.

Recommendations and/or observations in Palizada:

  • The cultivation of Palizada advances formidably;
  • It does not present pests or diseases;
  • Because the plants are very tall, they need the wire to tutter. In addition, some plants present parting in their main stem which will affect their step of sap and when getting entangled in the wire will be more difficult (Alcaldia Municipal has promised to provide the wire).

Thursday, May 24th:

AREA 10 – TARABITA 1

In Tarabita 1 there are 25 beneficiaries, divided into two properties:

  • The first property is next to the road and is 90% flat, small inclinations;
  • Here, Waterboxxes # 1 - 50 are with Tahiti lemon trees. In addition, there is a lemon control group Tahiti. Total 51 trees of lemon Tahiti;
  • 25 Waterboxx planted with Lemon Tahiti + 1 control tree;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality: 0%;
  • Control group is in good condition.

Recommendations and/or observations in Tarabita 1 – first property:

  • In Tarabita 1 Group 1, all the recommendations given in the first monitoring were made: plating in the area, fumigation, no presence of pests and diseases, and fertilization;
  • His improvement is evident, compared to the first visit made.

The second group is made up of 16 participants. They have received 80 Waterboxxs divided into: 3 Avocados, 21 Lemons, 56 Papayas. Additional, they have 2 Papaya Control group.

  • 80 Waterboxxes have been planted with Papayas, Lemons and Avocados + 2 control trees;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality: 5% (4 papayas);
  • Control group are small and withered.

Recommendations and/or observations in Tarabita 1 – second property:

  • Finish the fertilization;
  • There is no presence of pests or diseases;
  • Papaya cultivation shows obvious growth;
  • The Waterboxx were removed from the plants 52 - 85- 119 -132.

20180524 Removing the Waterboxx in Tarabita 1

Removing some Waterboxx® plant cocoons in Tarabita 1, in 2nd property

AREA 11 – TARABITA 

With 16 participants. 80 Waterboxxes have been delivered. 81 seedlings: 40 lemons + 40 avocados + 1 avocado control tree. The property is very steep, which prevents access for those who are not used to walking these hillsides.

  • 80 Waterboxx planted : 40 Lemon Tahiti + 41 Avocados (1 control tree);
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality: 1% (# 136);
  • The control is small and withered.

Recommendations and/or observations in Tarabita 2:

  • Only 10% of the crop has been fertilized, the fertilizer must be completed;
  • Perform pruning of forming in lemons;
  • Tutorate the lemon trees.

Friday, May 25th:

AREA 12 – HATO VIEJO

They have 21 participants. 105 Waterboxxes and 106 plants of Mora Castilla were delivered. The property has an approximate dimension of 100x100 meters and with slight inclinations.

  • 105 Waterboxx® plant cocoons have been planted with Mora Castilla + 1 control tree;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality of plants: 22% (23 plants);
  • The control group is dead, it was the first tree to disappear.

Recommendations and/or observations in Hato Viejo:

  • Fertilization, with the aim of improving the soil, it is necessary to add substrate or any type of fertilizer available in the area and thus provide greater water retention, permeability and good drainage for the tree (recommendation given from the first monitoring).

AREA 13 – GABRIELAS

In Gabrielas there are 16 beneficiaries divided into two groups. The first group is 10 minutes from the main road. It is a very steep property, where there is a corn crop. The ground is very inclined, and has an approximate dimension of 10x15 meters. The second group is a slightly inclined property of the same dimensions as the previous one. There are no trees.

  • 80 Waterboxxes have been planted with Mora Castilla + 1 control tree;
  • General water saving: 100%;
  • General mortality: 11% (9 plants);
  • The control group was the first to disappear.

Recommendations and / or Observations in Gabrielas – both groups:

  • Blackberry cultivation is very advanced, with significant growth;
  • Free of pests and diseases;
  • Fertilization performed.

Closing notes

  • We continue to perform monthly personalized monitoring and weekly phone calls, especially with Hato and Gabrielas;
  • We have very committed and responsible groups. But likewise, we have others to whom we must constantly "follow up", so that they comply with all the recommendations;
  • The saving in water consumption is 100%;
  • We have a general mortality of 4%;
  • The plants that are without leaves already have new shoots;
  • In some sidewalks, it is necessary the descope or pruning of the trees so that between luminosity in the cultures as well as a pair of fumigations more to control to the 100% the presence of crickets or worms cutters;
  • Lemons mostly need training pruning, to fortify the plants;
  • Both in Ruíz and in Tarabita 1, Waterboxx has been removed in papaya plants, following the instructions given.