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Green Village Revolution

HYDROPONICS - Life saver

AUSTRIA

FREE to NGOs & International Help Organisations, Together with Important piping material ( free of charge) for one Pilot Project for Each NGO, with simple method of preparing the piping by villagers themselves, to start Wet Irrigation System.

This paper is dedicated to the POOREST OF THE POOR, where there is a shortage of irrigation water and resources are limited, So that no child should live with MALNUTRITION and eventual deaths. If the goals of M D G ( UNO millennium Development Goals ) are to be achieved, then the poor villagers with small piece of land, have to be provided with some workable and cheap irrigation technology. Wet irrigation saves 75 - 80% water against flood and other systems.

Wet irrigation of roots occurred to me, when I saw weed breaking through the cemented path in our garden. I asked myself “ If the plant roots are so strong to break the concrete, then those must be strong enough to suck wetness and moisture from distant water source to over live and get stronger. So, we started working on Wet Irrigation System and were overwhelmed and pleasantly surprised to see The RESULTS EXCEEDING OUR EXPECTATIONS.

First experiments were carried out, on Hundreds or perhaps thousands of years old WICK & POROUS CLAY POT Irrigation system. This confirmed our belief that the plants can suck Water from great distance. ( DENMED et.al.1962)

Our greatest concern was the scarcity of cultivation water in the poorest areas of Africa and Asia.With the Porous Clay Pots and Wick Irrigation, the whole area had to be kept wet, for plants to suck water according to their needs. In wet irrigation, BURNT CLAY POTS (or plastic Used bottles) are used to stop any seepage through the pot ( or bottles). Secondly, material waste is covered with Food quality thin plastic piping, so that the water sucked underground and transported, reach the plant roots directly. There is NOT EVEN ONE CENTIMETER of earth being made unnecessarily wet, wasting scarce water.

Wet Irrigation technology is simple and cheap to install. Unlike all other irrigation systems, where the water is provided to the soil, thereby a high percentage of water get evaporated through Sun, high temperature, wind and other factors. Sapam wet irrigation provides under earth, wetness around the area of the roots, thereby avoiding any evaporation and loss of water, and eliminates weed growth.

At times of draughts and failure of rains etc. the ancient religions like Confucianism, Taoism and Hinduism mention “ MULCHING” of cultivation land as a solution to hunger and famine. There were different kinds of mulching methods, which are at today’s concept not suitable or workable. But the principle adopted is the same, to derive wetness from whatever source of water availability. The most important experiments carried out, during last 4 years, were to derive and deliver the wetness from distant water resources and from deep lying mulch, to the roots of the plants. Finally, waste of fibre material, covered with thin plastic piping) worked perfectly.

OUR MOTO:- Don’t give poor people “ ONE FISH A DAY TO EAT “Give them a fishing rod and teach them the methods of catching fish, for family and rest to sell for money. Agricultural scientists suggest mulching of the soil, to save water. This is a part of wet irrigation.

SAPAM WET IRRIGATON SYSTEM has two different wetting components.

1. 1. The moisture or wetness is brought through (plastic covered) waste of fibre, up to the roots of the plants. from water source.
2. 2. Mulch material is put around the plants. A fibre waste is put across the lower mulch and brought up to the plant’s roots or seeds. As long as the mulch has moisture, the plants keep sucking water. From occasional rains, or little extra water during long dry periods, the mulch stores a huge quantity of water, which it provides to the roots, during dry periods. Experiments show that plants suck water, simultaneously through both the systems.

Advantages of SAPAM Wet Irrigation System -- Pilot projects - Supplied free to NGOs.

1. No evaporation due to heat, wind or other factors. Permanent wetting of the soil is not required because water is brought up to the roots and the roots suck only, as much water as they need. There is an enormous saving of water over all irrigation systems.
2. Mulching at low level and transport of water from mulch wetness, up to the roots is an additional advantage to save water. Occasional rains or little extra water during long dry periods, supply a huge quantity of water in and around mulch area, which become available to the roots, when less water is available.
3. After few weeks, Mulch turn to Bio Fertilizer, so the plants don’t need chemical Fertilizers. However, any kind of liquid fertilizer can be used through the system.
4. Leaves and fruit doesn't get wet, helping control pests and prevent deceases.
5. There is no weed problem, because the soil top does not go wet to feed the weed.
6. Wet irrigation doesn’t require excessive manual work, so the poor women can use their time for other productive activities and bring up their children properly. Men can go and work for additional income.
7. Harvesting can be done at any time, without disturbing irrigation.
8. Irrigation is possible on slopes or plain fields without runoff.
9. Filters are not required, because there is no clogging of pipes..
10. Absolutely no pressure or any kind of energy required for cultivation areas.
11. All the materials used are cheap and the mulch is a gift of nature, to all the poor villagers.

According to UNICEF Study Reports, Since 1990, there is no change in small children Malnutrition Deaths. We have successfully completed 75% cultivation water saving " Wet Iriigation Technology" Unfortunately, many areas of the developing countries are Arid & unfertile. The answer lies in some cheap and workable technology like " HYDROPONICS".

The concept of Green Village Revolution, is to provide know-how, training and Possibilities to grow vegetables in villagers own back-yards. Please refer to Sapam Wet Irrigation System. The under poverty line villagers are provided with vegetable Saplings, Piping to install the system, teach and demonstrate the working. After one time demonstration and installation of one pilot project, the villagers can prepare their own wet irrigation system. The thin plastic piping material is available everywhere and is very cheap.The MULCH for COMPOST is a Gift of God, available as wild grass, falling leaves and small jungle waste.

The villagers and marginal farmers, have no chance (because of cultivation water shortages) to cultivate even once a year. With water saving Wet Irrigation System, they can start 2 times a year vegetable cultivation. They can feed their children with nutrient rich vegetables.

The Hydroponics nutrient salts are expensive, so some experts suggest Compost Tea Nutrients as substitute. If the members of hydroponicsdictionary.com take keen interest to experiment on Compost Tea, may be by adding fish & blood powder or other bio materials. That might save millions of hungry children in the the developing world. To make the perfect working of Hydroponics, the villagers can even combine "Wet IrrigationTechnology", which is a constant source of Nutrient mixture supply to plants.

Kindly save small children from slow deaths. Regards,
Aloisia & Sat Mehra,
4050 Traun,
Austria
Tel : 0043 7229 73771

If anyone would like to contact Aloisha and Sat, to offer any tips or advice, please Contact Us and we will be sure that they get your message. With a bit of help from our visitors we know we can make this project an overwhelming success.

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