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| High Tech, High Yield Hydroponic Chile Production - Yucatán, Mexico |
| www.PlanetaVerdeMarAzul.org www.Green Planet Blue Sea.com The Official Website for Maya Neem Farms, Yucatan, Mexico A Model Neem Plantation, in Progress, for Profitable, Integrated, Sustainable and Ecologically Balanced Rural Development, Renewable Land, Sea and Water Use, and Resource Conservation |
| Page Under Construction: The information and photos contained herein are from a single visit to a new facility recently installed just a few kilometers down the road from our project. We were so excited by the photos and friendly and informative reception we received by the project manager and his crew that we decided to post what we have at this moment and return often to the neighboring project and others to gather more information, posting it here as soon as it becomes available to us. Most of the most important questions about this production approach remain to be asked and answered but this, I think, should serve as an inspiring introduction and this is only Part one, including chilies grown in a soil-based medium. Part two will focus upon Chiles grown hydroponically and we will address that additional strategy ASAP, as well. |
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| This module covers approximately 1/2 hectare and measures 50 meters wide by 100 meters long. It is oriented so that the flat face of each "roof wave" meets the prevailing breeze and helps circulate air inside the semi-shaded interior of the aluminum-framed structure. The structure sits upon a specially prepared base of "Sas cap", or ground limestone, which is also used for road cover and is highly resistant to the growth of weeds and other unwanted plants. It provides a fine, smooth and well-draining surface over which a heavy-duty, synthetic (Nylon/plastic), non-slip, porous, cloth flooring is applied The large horizontal, tubular bars (see photo right) support the roof trusses and also show the level where heavy gauge wires will be strung at between 4-5 meters from the floor. Each chile plant will be pruned to grow up a single strand of cable which will be attached vertically to the heavy gauge wire above. Chiles in the open fields generally reach an average height of approximately 1.2 to 1.5 meters in height so this is a novel adaptation and attests to the plant´s capability to be able to so effectively grow mainly up rather than fill out horizontally. The chiles in theses photos were planted just 23 days previous to our visit. Each chile is drip irrigated approximately 8 minutes per day. Irrigation and fertilization is computer monitored and regulated (Photos below). Because the chiles have just the right amount of grow-mix for maximum growth and nutrition, water and fertilizer conservation is built into this system. Growing in a semi-shaded environment also adds to this conservation and, during the hottest, driest months, cut´s back on the amount of "flower-drop" resulting for field grown chiles from direct exposure to the very intense Yucatecan sun which can result in from 25% to 40% drop in production during these months The sas cap base, covered by the specialty cloth flooring cuts back if not eliminates bugs, soil born infections, and other pests from entering the plants from the ground. Because the plants are grown in basically sealed soil environments they are not therefore exposed or vulnerable to the over 200 kinds of nematodes and other plant predators field chiles and other crops must contend with. This therefore cuts back or eliminates the need for costly soil amendments and the labor required to apply them on a regular basis. Above ground pests are virtually precluded by the airy enclosure, again cutting back on the need for contaminating, expensive pesticides and the labor required to apply them usually once every 7 to 10 days in open fields. Weeding is also eliminated by this system. Speaking of labor: The project manager reported that during planting and harvesting, up to 5 workers may be required to run the entire operation. The rest of the time, just 2 workers are required. In contrast, field grown chiles, require 20 workers or more per hectare during planting and harvesting and 2-4 workers full time for unceasing weeding and the regular application of pesticides and soil amendments. In both systems fertilizer can be managed through the drip irrigation system. Question: As stated above, watering and fertilization are managed by a sophisticated computer system. We need to find out if this system specifically monitors levels of moisture and current levels of plant nutrients and then applies additional water and nutrients on an "as needed" basis? Above, right and below, the "brains" of the entire operation are housed in a 5m x 6m structure adjacent to the enclosed chile structure. The green "tinacos", or tanks, hold pre-measured and mixed fertilizers. |
| Meter long coco fiber packs each hold 4 plants |
| Above, plastic trays or "Channels" hold plant packs in place & recycle fluids |
| Follow the money: Here is the area where we currently have far more questions than answers, yet with the current answers we do have we were nevertheless impressed: Let´s list the questions first and see where we need to do the most home work: 1). How much would duplicating this module and accompanying technology cost? 2). How much money is saved using this method vs. open field method with drip irrigation? 3). What are average, projected, production levels using the module and how do they compare in terms of production and costs for the same area of open field planting. 4). What kind and how much government support is available for this kind of production vs open field planting production. 5). Once harvesting starts, how long will the "indoor" vs the open field method be at maximum production? 6) How many tons of Chiles should be produced using module vs open field methods in the same amount of space? 7) Will there be a significant difference in levels of quality in field produced vs chiles grown inside the modules? 7a.) Yucatecan Habanero Chiles are world famous not only for their heat but, for aficionados, their distinct and unique flavor. This module could be set up anywhere in the world with similar climatic conditions and water quality but would a group of "experts" be able to tell the difference in flavor between modularized Yucatecan Habaneros, field grown Yucatecan Habaneros, and the very same chiles grown in fields and in modules in say Arizona, SE Asia, or Africa? 8) Will there be significant variation in Capsaicin levels between field grown and module grown chiles, assuming the crops are grown from the same seed stock? We would appreciate your comments and additional questions which will add to a more complete understanding and analysis of this new method (for the Yucatán anyway) of chile production.. Please send your questions/Comments to YucatanNeem@Gmail.com. Thanks. We will have answers to the above questions very shortly! Also make sure to see Dave Dewitt´s great 3 part historical and cultural perspective on the importance of chiles in Mexico "Chile:The Soul of the Mexicans" |