Fourth time monitoring of the Zero Hunger by 2030 project

For the Zero Hunger by 2030 project in Colombia, various fruit trees have been planted in 13 different areas. The trees have been planted with the Waterboxx® plant cocoon. Read here how the progress is so far! 

Monday, June 18

AREA 1 – PITAYAS

The leader of this area is Jesucita. The group consist of 21 members, who received 105 Waterboxxes with Tahiti lemons. The property is square, approximately 40x40 meters, without trees, only intended for Waterboxx. In the front, coffee crops are observed. The property is located on a slope of medium length.

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

Recommendations and/or observations in Pitayas:

• The water saving is 100%;
• The crop is free of pests and diseases;
• In spite of the continuous recommendations on fertilization, it has not been carried out, according to what was reported in the previous reports. For this fourth monitoring, we re-emphasize the imminent need to fertilize;
• Perform forming pruning;
• In this fourth monitoring, we counted on the presence of all the members who committed to carry out all the recommendations given.

Members of the group from Pitayas

AREA 2 – HERRADURA

The leader of this area is Erledy. The group has 10 beneficiaries. 51 passion fruits (50 in the Waterboxx® plant cocoons + 1 control tree). The property is approximately 25 x 50 meters, with the following trees: guano, guava, ash, coffee. The ground is not completely flat, it has certain inclinations

• 50 Waterboxxes planted with passion fruit + 1 control group.
• General water saving: 100%.
• General mortality of plants with Waterboxxes: 0%.
• The control group is still alive.

Recommendations and/or observations in Herradura:

• Fertilization performed;
• The trees present new leaves;
• Free of pests and diseases;
• Plateo and cleaning of the terrain;
• Better luminosity in the property, due to the pruning of trees that prevented to obtain luminosity (rays of the sun). This condition, of few hours of sun, did not allow the maracuyas to develop their height (in comparison with crops of other sidewalks);
• Removal of the Waterboxx® would take place from August, due to the high temperatures and the lack of water in the area;
• Species to plant to reuse the Waterboxx® with tomato tree (physalis).

AREA 3 – RUIZ

This is the smallest group with 6 beneficiaries and 30 Waterboxxes. The leader is Osvilda, and the species they chose was papaya. The ground is flat, without greater inclinations.

• 30 Waterboxx® plant cocoons have planted with papaya + 1 control tree;
• General water saving: 100%;
• General mortality of plants with Waterboxxes: 13% (4 papayas died since the second monitoring);
• Control group is dead.

Recommendations and/or observations in Ruíz:

• The Ruíz group has carried out all the recommendations that were made in the second and third Monitoring;
• The crop is in perfect condition;
• The lot is clean without pests or diseases;
• Fertilization has been performed;
• Only the plants # 988, 989, 993, 997, 1002, 1005 remain with Waterboxx;
• These Waterboxxes can now be re-used to plant new trees;
• They want to reuse the Waterboxx® with avocado trees (Persea Americana).

Tuesday, June 19

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 Waterboxxes 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:

• Continue with fertilization, especially in avocados;
• It does not present pests or diseases.

AREA 5 – ALTILLO

The leader is Nery, 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 Waterboxx® plant cocoons have been planted with avocado and lemon + 1 control tree of avocado;
• General water saving: 100%;
• General mortality: 10% ( #603-616-618-619-622-624);
• Lemon trees still use Growsafe, including two pieces unified in a single tree;
• Control group of avocado still survive.

Recommendations and/or observations in Altillo:

• Although fertilization has been carried out according to the recommendations, it is necessary to fertilize the avocados again to counteract the root asphyxia;
• Free of pests and diseases;
• 100% water saving.

AREA 6 – YACUANAS BAJO

Ana Rubi is the leader of this group, with 10 beneficiaries in total. There have been 50 Waterboxx® plant cocoons delivered with 51 small trees (24 avocados + 1 avocado control tree + 26 Tahiti lemons). Collaboration with this group is excellent, since the first day of the socialization they have been very involved with the project. They have followed all our instructions and this 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® planted with avocado and lemon + 1 control group of avocado.
• General water saving: 100%.
• General mortality: 2% (#519 avocado).
• Control group of avocado is still alive.

Members of the group from Yucuanas Bajo with members of the World Food Programme

Wednesday, June 20

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 Waterboxx® + 1 control group).

• 65 Waterboxxes have been planted with passion fruits + 1 control tree;
• General water saving: 100%;
• General mortality: 3% (#231 + 275 disappeared mysteriously);
• Control group is still alive.

Recommendations and/or observations in Elvecia:

• No pests or diseases;
• 100% water saving;
• Presents new sheets;
• Fertilization performed;
• Check wick weekly;
• The Waterboxx® plant cocoons will remain until the harvest due to the water shortage that occurs up to the month of August, approximately. 

AREA 8 – GONZALO

Leader is Sandra with a group of 13 beneficiaries, 65 Waterboxx® plant cocoons and 66 seedlings delivered (65 passion fruits + 1 control group). 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 Waterboxx® plant cocoons.

• 65 Waterboxx® plant cocoons 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:

• No pests or diseases;
• 100% water saving;
• Presents new leaves;
• Fertilization performed;
• The wire is necessary to control the crop. They are waiting for the donation of the Mayor of Almaguer;
• The Waterboxxes have been withdrawn in their majority, only # 326-327 remain pending;
• The retired Waterboxx® are in the warehouse of the leader's house.

AREA 9 – PALIZADA

Its leader is Hermilda. 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 in total with 91 Passion fruit seedlings (1 control tree) were delivered.

• 90 Waterboxxes 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:

• Fumigation with copper sulphate to prevent Gout in the crop;
• 100% water saving;
• Presents new leaves;
• Fertilization performed;
• The wire is necessary to control the crop. They are waiting for the donation of the Mayor of Almaguer. The plants are of great height and having no where to entangle begin to fall and already in some its main stem presents parting which will affect its step of sap and when getting entangled in the wire will be more difficult, also by the strong wind in the area causes the plants to grow and can split their main stem;
• Check wick weekly;
• The Waterboxxes will remain until the harvest due to the water shortage that occurs up to the month of August, approximately. 

Thursday, June 21

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. 

• 50 Waterboxx® planted with Lemon Tahiti + 1 control tree;
• General water saving: 100%;
• General mortality: 0%;
• Control group is small.

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

• Lot no pests and diseases;
• 100% water saving;
• Fertilization performed;
• Lot clean;
• Weekly review of wicks to check that it is working properly, due to the high temperatures reached by the area.

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

• 80 Waterboxx® plant cocoons have been planted with Papayas, Lemons and Avocados + 2 Control trees;
• General water saving: 100%;
• General mortality: 8% (# 54, 59, 75, 88, 92, 103 all papayas);
• The 2 trees in the control group are both small and withered.

Recommendations and/or observations in Tarabita 1 – second property

• Lot no pests and diseases;
• 100% water saving;
• Fertilization performed;
• Lot clean;
• Weekly review of wicks to check that it is working properly, due to the high temperatures reached by the area.
• The Waterboxx® were removed from the plants 52 - 85- 119 -132.

AREA 11 – TARABITA 2

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

• 80 Waterboxxes planted : 40 Lemon Tahiti + 41 Avocados (1 control tree);
• General water saving: 100%;
• General mortality: 10% (# 136, 137, 141, 145, 167, 170 all avocados);
• The control group tree is small and withered, on the brink of dying.

Recommendations and/or observations in Tarabita 2

• Lot no pests and diseases;
• 100% water saving;
• Fertilize again;
• Plating and cleaning lot;
• Review of wicks weekly to check that it is working properly, due to the high temperatures reached by the area and the presence of weeds around the boxes.



Friday, June 22th

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 Waterboxxes have been planted with Mora Castilla + 1 control tree;
• General water saving: 100%;
• General mortality of plants: 34% (36 plants);
• The control group is dead, it was the first tree to die.

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. Unfortunately, Hato Viejo has not fertilized according to the indications given from the socialization of the project and planting of the little trees. Due to this situation, the trees have a nutrient deficit and lead to this high mortality rate in relation to any other sidewalk.

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's no trees. 

• 80 Waterboxxes have been planted with Mora Castilla + 1 control tree;
• General water saving: 100%;
• General mortality: 21% (17 plants);
• The control group was among the first to die.

Recommendations and/or observations in Gabrielas – both groups:

• Fertilization performed;
• 100% water saving;
• Without pests and diseases;
• New leaves;
• Wick is fully functioning.

Members of the group from Gabriela with members of the World Food Programme

Closing notes, general comments 

• We continue to perform monthly personalized monitoring and weekly phone calls;
• We have very committed and responsible groups. But likewise, we have others to whom we must constantly "follow up", so that they carry out the recommendations – and even then some don’t act;
• The saving in water consumption is 100%;
• We have a general mortality of 8% with Waterboxxes® (78 plants, almost the 50% of this amount are Mora Castilla of Hato Viejo and fertilization is the main reason because that);
• We have a general mortality of 18.75% in the control group, with 31.25% of control group being in a very bad shape and only 8% in good shape;
• Of the plants that died are without leaves already have new shoots so have somehow recovered;
• Lemons mostly need training pruning, to fortify the plants;
• Fertilization still is necessary;
• Waterboxx® plant cocoons in Elvecia and Palizada will not be removed until August or September, to take advantage of the Groasis Technology in this dry period;
• Ruiz and Gonzalo removed the 95% of their Waterboxx. They are waiting for a re-plant of fruit trees (Tomato fruit tree and Avocado).