Food production in the desert is no mirage
Groasis has developed a way to grow food in deserts by forming a protective cocoon around plants
One-third of the Earth’s surface is desert. Water is extremely hard to come by in these regions, making food production nearly impossible. Groasis has developed several solutions – or ‘plant cocoons’ – that support the survival of plants and trees in harsh environments and circumstances without using groundwater or electricity. Two of their products, Waterboxx® and Growboxx®, collect water by catching rainwater and condensation. Both boxes distribute the collected water over an extended period to the tree or plant growing inside of it. According to Groasis, these technologies prevent the evaporation of groundwater and steadies the temperature around the roots. The boxes also prevent erosion of the soil around the plant. Waterboxx® and Growboxx® are already used in countries like Chile, Jordan, Spain and Ghana. Another Groasis product is the Waterfilter Boxx®, a bucket which is filled with polluted water, including washing water, brackish water or seawater. The water is then distilled in the box, creating clean fresh water. The process uses a method called SODIS, a combination of UV light and increased solar thermal temperature for disinfecting water using only sunlight. The Waterfilter Boxx® is intended to help rural agricultural families or refugees living in camps to use their washing water to water fruit trees or vegetables.