NGO Another Way (Stichting
Bakens Verzet), 1018 AM
SELF-FINANCING, ECOLOGICAL,
SUSTAINABLE, LOCAL INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR THE WORLD’S POOR
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FREE E-COURSE FOR DIPLOMA IN INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT |
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Edition 01 : 15 September,
2011
SOME RECOMMENDED DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGIES
Seeds
balls.
Seed balls form a simple
technology which can be applied with 100% local value added anywhere in the
world. The technology is particularly applicable for use in marginal farming
areas, and can be used for grasslands, vegetables, and reforestation purposes.
The Wikipedia entry for seed balls states :
“Clay Seed Balls, also known as "earth balls" or
nendo dango and tsuchi dango …… consist of a variety of different
seeds rolled within a ball of clay, preferably volcanic plastic red clay. Into
this medium various additives maybe included, such as a humus or compost. These
are placed around the seeds, at the centre of the ball, to provide microbial inoculants.
Cotton-fibres or liquified paper are sometimes mixed into the clay in order to
strengthen it, or liquified paper mash coated on the outside to further protect
the clay ball during sowing by throwing, or in particularly harsh habitats.
Generally about 5 measures of red clay by volume are combined with one
measure of seeds. The balls are formed between
Seed balls have use in nearly any region where plants can grow, for
reseeding ecosystems into areas of man-made deserts, avoiding seed eating
insects and animals and protecting seeds until rains fall to soak the clay ball
and stimulating the seeds. Seeds contained in such balls then germinate in
ideal conditions for each climate-region.” [Text as on 15th September,
2011].
The Seedfreedom.net
website provides films and information on this technology, with demonstrations
on how to make seed balls.
Click
here to see seed ball pioneer Masanobu Fukuoka’s European Patent Application
EP 0 885 554 A2, where paper derivatives (including paper pulp) are
used for seed balls instead of the traditional clay materials. This helps avoid
breakage of seed balls in harsh
environments or when they are dropped (“sown”) by aircraft.
RETURN
TO:
Some recommended technologies.
“Poverty is created scarcity”
Wahu Kaara, point 8 of the Global Call to
Action Against Poverty, 58th annual NGO Conference, United Nations,
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