Introduction of Waterboxx

Growing plants in the desert seems a mission impossible. As 2023 nears its end, I’d like to highlight one of my favorite sustainable products this year – the Waterboxx. Its significance goes beyond being a part of the Great Green Wall Initiative in Africa; it stands out due to its mature practical application and productization, offering advanced irrigation technology to desert regions and promoting efficient water utilization.

Initiated by the African Union (AU) in 2007, the ambitious project aims to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land across the continent by 2030, using extensive vegetation barriers spanning over 8,000 kilometers south of the Sahara Desert. In April this year, a partnership agreement was inked between the National Green Wall Agency (NAGGW) and Groasis Waterboxx, a Dutch provider of water rationalization technology. The Groasis ecological water-saving technology will debut in Nigeria, with “Waterboxx” officially manufactured and licensed by Boplas Industries, marking a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future.

How Waterboxx Works

Waterboxx is a groundbreaking growth device designed to cultivate crops in arid regions while optimizing resource utilization. It comprises a “smart bucket” constructed from recycled paper, serving as a hub for seed germination, sapling incubation, and plant irrigation. Impressively, it reduces water consumption by a remarkable 90% when compared to traditional cultivation methods, making it a valuable solution for some of the planet’s harshest climates. Waterboxx is renowned for its triple 90% effectiveness, as explained by Groasis CEO Wout Hoff: “The cost per hectare is 90% cheaper than drip irrigation, and it saves 90% of the water used in drip irrigation. In addition, the trees planted using Waterboxx have a remarkable 90% survival rate.”

Operation Overview

The functioning of Waterboxx is simple and effective. A seedling is placed at the center of the planting device, which is then filled with approximately ten liters of water and sealed with a lid, allowing the sapling and its roots to extend outside the unit. Beyond this initial water supply, the device captures moisture from the atmosphere, collecting rainwater and condensation, while preventing the evaporation of resources from the underlying soil. This ingenious design ensures sustainable growth, even in the face of challenging environmental conditions, making Waterboxx a game-changer in sustainable agriculture.

Sustainable Application and Impact of Waterboxx

Waterboxx solutions are poised to make a significant impact as they extend their reach to countries including Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. These deployments align with the Greater Green Wall Initiative, encompassing extensive 15-kilometer-wide vegetation corridors spanning ten nations. This vast vegetation zone, stretching from Dakar to Djibouti, covers an impressive area exceeding 117,000 square kilometers.

More Thoughts

This innovative product brings to mind Golmud City, where I once resided and worked for a year. Located in Qinghai Province, China, bordering Tibet, Golmud faces unique challenges in tree planting. Due to its plateau location, rainfall is scarce, sandstorms are frequent, and the soil is saline-alkaline. The absence of trees exacerbates the local climate’s unsuitability for human habitation.

In such contexts, Waterboxx offers a compelling solution. In Nigeria, for instance, Waterboxx devices not only conserve water but also stabilize root temperatures, combat weed competition, and even protect against rodent damage. This innovative approach holds immense promise for transforming arid landscapes into thriving ecosystems.

Links

interestingengineering.com/lists/21-sustainability-listss-that-might-just-change-the-world

www.afrik21.africa/en/great-green-wall-waterboxx-adopted-to-save-water-in-reforestation/

www.groasis.com/