Assessing and marking out of the Cacao Plot

Following the ratification of the project, students have been tasked with measuring the location suggested, and seeing where cacao seedlings will be planted. It was discussed with students how to best minimize soil erosion and nutrient run-off and so as with the coffee plantation, students are using basic methods using an A-Frame to determine the level of the slope and to ensure even staking out of holes.

Interestingly, students have found that using long sections of bamboo with a spirit level app on their cell phones works just as well.

*Getting the level correct using an app on a phone*

*Using a triangulation method to set out stakes, sites for new cacao trees, and reduce erosion when planting.*

*The site pegged out with stakes at a 3x3m triangular spacing for cacao trees.*

Students have started to map and stake out the slope for the cacao.

Banana suckers have been kindly donated by Alejandro´s parents, who run a banana plantation in the north of Valle del Cauca. These were planted following the task of producing a map setting out where cacao will be planted, and planting the bananas at 9 x 9 m, whereas the cacao will be planted as best as possible at 3 x 3 m. We have space for 115 cacao trees but on the advice of Dr Vaast have decided to reduce this amount to 64.

Assessing and marking out of the Cacao Plot