Visit by cacao scientists to assess our cacao project ideas

During our Bolivar Garden Saturday this month, the school was visited by Dr Vaast to discuss the viability of planting  cacao at the school.  The following

• The area is well suited to the planting of cacao

  

• The first step is to peg out the area in a 3mx3m triangular system to see the carrying capacity of the area – students, BGS and Dr W
• Agrosavia scientists will check with Sedes La Suisa (Santander) and Nataima (Bogota) to see what germplasm they have and what can be donated to the project
• It is thought that we shall have at least five high producing varieties from Agrosavia that we need to apply for. Scientists will help with this.
• Scientists will also check the time needed to produce shade from planted banana and plantain and other trees before planting cacao – at least 6 months
• Scientists will also check with Fedecacao about getting technical advice from them for planting and what germplasm can be purchased (by Don Simon Club)
• Holes will need to be dug and the substrata inspected. Holes of 40x40x40 are sufficient, but 40x40x50 will probably be better.
• Banana and plantain to be planted to produce shade.
• Irrigation – drip system with potential for a new tank above the area to be implemented. Quantity of water needed will be investigated by scientists. Javier Guttierez to design a drip irrigation system with a “rat tail” to irrigate the cacao plants, initially after direct planting.
• Planting time to coincide to be at least two months before rainy season.