Answers to questions for Agros

Here are the answers we received for the questions that we sent to Laurie and Mario at the Seattle and Managua Agros offices respecitively:

PUMPING

1. What is the name of the Brazilian water pump that you were telling us about? We can't seem to track it down just by searching for it online; is there any way to get information on it?

The pump is an Ariete ZM, Brazilian technology.

2. Where was said pump installed? Was it in one of your villages? Which one? Do you have data on how it is working?

It’s installed and working well in San José. It is propelling the water a total distance of 2km (3.2 mi) from where it is installed in the river. It is also important to note that it is also being used to irrigate crops along its 2 km route.

IRRIGATION

3. Does Agros have any documents describing the farming techniques they promote?

There is an irrigation instruction manual that is accessible to the whole community but there isn’t a manual about agricultural techniques.

4. What acreage/square footage is intended for development of agriculture?

There is a capacity to irrigate 5 mz (8.6 acres), but this would be through drip irrigation.

5. Will this entire site require irrigation from EWB?

Yes.

6. What is the topography of the areas requiring irrigation? Benched? Sloped? Flat? Terraced? Steep?

The topography varies from 10 to 30% incline.

7. Is the crop rotation/harvest cycle known at this time? What is it?

At the moment we are using it to for Tabasco chili peppers in the community, and from December-April the land is used for growing different types of vegetables.

8. Does the village presently have flooding issues?

There are no flooding issues.

9. Is there any data on soil type?

The soil is clay loam.

10. How are the acres we are going to irrigate currently being used? What is the desire in the future- crop types, etc.?

Currently, the acres we hope to irrigate with help from EWB are only cultivatable during the rainy season. It sits unused the rest of the year (or just for corn and beans). With irrigation we hope to grow different vegetables such as tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, cucumbers, squash, and others.

11. Also, do you know if anyone in Agros or a nearby university has rain gauges and data regarding rain fall for the area that El Eden is in?

Only INETER (Instituto Nicaragüense de Estudios Territoriales) or possibly the Mayor’s office in San Ramón has this information.