Month: April 2019

Hey guys, while l was looking for pictures for the flyer, I found this website that sells jute mats for farming.  I copied their description of the product and pasted it below. As you can see it talks about the benefits of jute, as well as how long the jute lasts. We can mention it if the professors ask us how durable (time wise) the material is. Also I linked the website if you want to check it out

“Jute Mesh Erosion Control Mat, 4’ x 225’

Excellent for controlling erosion on moderately steep slopes and channels with average water velocities as well as stabilized slopes and shallow channels. The coarse, open mesh fabric keeps soil in place allowing plant material to grow. Water Assumption Capacity: 450% of materials weight. Durability: 1-2 years. Roll Size: 100 square yards (4’W x 225’L).”

https://www.forestry-suppliers.com/product_pages/products.php?mi=4064

Hello everyone! As we stated in our last post, we have finally decided on our engineering-based solution for soil depletion in Haiti. We are working hard on our poster and prototype of our compost mat! Once our prototype is finished and the poster is complete, we will share pictures of each so keep an eye out for those coming soon.

Quick update. The draft of our brochure is done! It’s not 100% final since it still is a draft, but its full of good information. Check it out on Blackboard under group blog, and lets discuss comments during  the next group meeting. I’ll be bringing in a paper copy as well.

 

This decision matrix was created. It weighed the different criteria from a scale of one to five depending on importance to the project. Five was the highest rank/value for both the criteria weighing and for judging the three solutions. After calculating the total, the top choice is the compost mat. Overall, it is very practical and requires no maintenance, low-cost, and provides benefits aside from giving nutrient such as withstanding harsh environments and being biodegradable.

Health Decision Matrix

For the week of April 22-26 our group plans to come to a decision on which of our 3 solutions is the best to move forward with. By using the decision matrix, we will weigh out the pros and cons of our solutions. Once deciding on the best solution, we will proceed to draft a brochure that will be presented to the people of Haiti in hopes of opening their minds to what our solution can accomplish. Keep on checking in for more updates on our process!

Our group has been working hard to find an engineering-based solution to the problem of soil degradation in Haiti that has led to food insecurity. We have almost narrowed it down to the final three solutions which we will reveal on here soon!

Where are the people of Haiti located? Most of Haiti’s population live in rural areas and work in the agricultural sector. Although urbanization in Haiti has seen an increase, around two-fifths of the population still live in rural areas and depended on the crop production of small-scale or subsistence farmers. Many of these farms are located on the plain and valley regions even though most of the land is being over cultivated (Haiti, n.d.). The rural areas of Haiti are witnessing a migration of urban residents moving back to the country side. Due to this migration of people, we are seeking to find an engineering-based solution to aid these rural areas in the cultivation of crops and rebuilding of soil.

As a group we wanted to learn more about Haiti, in order to develop a solution that will work for their needs and environment. Here is some important information concerning the climate Haiti experiences. The climate in Haiti is warm and humid. The average temperature differs depending on the month and elevation level of the area, but most temperatures average at about 25 °C (Haiti, n.d.). Most of the nation receives less than 28 inches of rainfall per year, but again the average rainfall and the length of rainy and dry seasons differ on the location and elevation of the area in Haiti. “Some regions have two rainy seasons, lasting from April to June and from August to October, whereas other regions experience rainfall from May to November” (Haiti, n.d.). The nation of Haiti has been damaged by countless of hurricanes and tropical storms, and in recent years, the nation has suffered from long periods of droughts due to limited rainfall.

Hey guys! Here is some more information I found on the geography of Haiti. Haiti is located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea. The geography of Haiti is characterized by rocky shores, limited plain regions, mountain ranges, short rivers, plateaus, and an interior basin (Haiti, n.d.). The valley and plain regions are the most fertile in the country; however, these areas are being over-cultivated and contributing to the degradation of the soil. The lower hills are characterized by red clay and the mountainside soil is relatively thin, thus degrading at a faster rate. “Deforestation has caused much soil erosion, and as much as one-third of Haiti’s land may have eroded beyond recovery” (Haiti, n.d.).

https://cdn.britannica.com/s:700×450/15/68415-00409093639.jpg

Here is some background information to the economy of Haiti. The natural resources available are bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, soft and hardwood, clay, and concrete. Some of their agriculture consist of coffee, mangoes, cocoa, sugarcane, rice, and corn.  Also, “only 20 percent of Haiti’s 27,560 sq. km are arable, and as many as 37,000 acres of arable land are lost annually due to erosion (Relief Web)”.