BioDesign N/L 11.3.11 March 13, 2011
Forwarded from: graham knight <graham075@googlemail.com> Date: 11 March 2011 10:02
What do you want to know? - Minimal Irrigation - DIY Solar Projects
While seeking info on irrigation I came across the Eden Foundation in Niger http://www.eden-foundation.org/project/
I was told by the director that, despite the arid climate, they don't need irrigation as they use "direct seeding" which provides all the food they need!
Now I am well aware that many of my contacts cannot afford to visit websites due to the expense/time but direct seeding seems to me something that everyone should know about even if, for now, they do not need it.
It then struck me that if such useful info was offered on a website devoted just to such issues it might prove very useful indeed.
There are a few websites that address such problems but they are not organised for farmers but rather well-educated experts in large NGOs.
Finding what is needed can be difficult. And none of them have anything about direct seeding!
Making a simple website is easy but what info to show and how? Would it, for example, have a list of plants that grow/used to grow in dryland countries so that farmers/gardeners can try them out?
If you have ideas how such a website might be organised, do contact me!
Experimenting with Wicks
I have now worked out a simple way of irrigating with ropes. All it needs is a bucket and some soft plastic hosepipe as I can supply the rest initially.
If you want more info do email me.
It is important to emphasise that this system will not only minimise the water required but needs no labour apart from filling water containers perhaps once a week!
New DIY Solar Projects
Every so often I discover that an NGO that has received a sample pv pack has then tried to get funding from an NGO.
However convincing an NGO can be difficult so I do suggest that if that is your intention you contact me first and discuss what devices you might convert/make. If needbe I can send more info/pv parts!
Graham