This project sets out to introduce hydroponic horticulture into groups called "Clube de Maes", in order to increase the consumption of top quality vegetables in families in poor communities of the peri-urban areas of the city of Teresina.
This project will also be supported through charitable sales of calendars asking for a contribution of at least 10 euros.
Targeted geographical area: Brazil, North-East, Piauì, Teresina.
This project is currently being implemented through funding from Regione Veneto and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN), and in collaboration between the Faculty of Agriculture of Padua University and the Association of Friends of Brazilian State of Espirito Santo - Centre for Community Collaboration (AES-CCC).
AES-CCC is a non-governmental organisation recognised by MAE (Ministry for Foreign Affairs) which is a member of FOCSIV (Federation of Christian Organisations for Voluntary International Service). This NGO was founded in 1966 with the aim of promoting cultural exchanges among people, groups and associations in Italy as well as in foreign countries. It sets out to promote development programmes in various developing countries such as Africa (Chad and Kenya) and Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Panama, Mexico and Venezuela), programmes for the development of rural communities with an emphasis on education, vocational and agricultural training and health.
The initiative sets out to introduce hydroponic horticulture into groups called "Clube de Maes", in order to increase the consumption of top quality vegetables in families in poor communities of the peri-urban areas of the city of Teresina. An adequate consumption of vegetables can help resolve health disorders caused by unbalanced diets characterised by a lack of vitamins and nutrition.
The "Clube de Maes" are groups of mothers who unite in an association to help each other in their children's growth. The activities are targeted at mothers and children aged between 4 and 14. The areas for intervention are: health, food safety, social training and education, in order to develop interaction and solidarity skills within each individual club as well as between the clubs. This project further sets out to promote the participation of mothers in group activities forging bonds of mutual support and solidarity while enabling a cultural growth that leads to long-standing, sustainable economic independence.
The convenience related to the adoption of hydroponic crops is due to different factors:
- Potential to intensify the number of cultural cycles while repeating the same crop in time, with the result that crop yield can be increased;
- liberate crops from the pedological and phytosanitary boundaries which are due to traditional farming on soil;
- use local low-cost scrap materials and by-products such as rice husk and coconut fibre to be used as a substratum for crops;
- enhanced control of vegetal feeding;
- elimination of chemical pollution of soil and groundwater;
- rehabilitation of marginal areas (in the case of the Clubes courtyards or other tiny spaces can be used);
- enhanced water management (consumption optimisation with a reduction of leaks due to evaporation and lack of percolation).
Present situation
The project started in the month of May 2005 and is currently involving the following beneficiaries:
- 115 women organised in eight "Clubes de Mães" (enhanced diets, lows costs for a meal, increased incomes);
- 407 children of women (enhanced diets, new production techniques learnt);
- 11 kindergartens (for a total of 215 children) and the hospital "São Carlos Borromeo" to which the top quality vegetables produced by the clubs are sold.
In the near future the activities carried out will mainly involve an improvement of the marketing stage in order to promote increases in household incomes while ensuring project sustainability.
Prof.Giorgio Prosdocimi Gianquinto, an untenured professor of horticulture at the Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Agro-Environmental Science and Technology - is carrying on the Project in collaboration with the Faculty of Agriculture of Padua University and of other Associations , to help families in poor communities of the peri-urban areas of the city of Teresina.
The calendars will be availableat the Dean's Office of the Faculty of Agriculture, alternatively they can be reserved sending a mail to Prof. Gianquinto (giorgio.gianquinto@unibo.it) or Dr. Patrizia Lorenzelli (patrizia.lorenzelli@unibo.it)