The Ministry of Municipality and Environment is experimenting with a new water saving technique — Groasis Waterboxx — for irrigating plants in collaboration with an international company.
Groasis Waterboxx is a watering system — a plastic device that provides a constant source of moisture to young trees by collecting dew and rainfall and slowly distributing the water through a wick that resembles that of an oil lamp.
Using this new technique, the Public Parks Management Department at the Ministry has planted two trees at the backyard of its headquarters, said a report shared on social networking sites of the Ministry.
The Department has hosted experts from the device manufacturing company — Waterboxx. The experts gave details about new technique and how to use it to the agricultural engineers of Public Parks Department. It was agreed with Waterboxx Company to provide more devices for planting trees using it at various municipalities across the country under the supervision of the Department.
Initially within the framework of the cooperation, two trees were planted in the presence of the Mohamad Sada, Deputy Head of the Public Parks Management Department.
The remaining devices are expected to receive soon and will be handed over to the targeted municipalities in coming days, said the Ministry.
This technique helps grow trees in desert climate like GCC countries and save water, said the Ministry. The new technique will enable the department concerned to cover more areas under its plantation drive and increase greenery across the country, the Ministry added.
The Waterboxx plant cocoon reduces the water use in agriculture and trees can be planted with less water, said a report posted on the website of the company. The Waterboxx plant cocoon uses 90 percent less water and the trees that are planted with it have a survival rate of more than 90 percent.
The Groasis Waterboxx plant cocoon is an alternative for drip irrigation. It is made of polypropylene (plastic) and therefore it can be used many times. The tree needs the box from nine to 12 months to grow. The Groasis is a polypropylene bucket with a lid. It has a vertical tunnel in the middle for two plants. A wick allows water from inside the box to trickle into the ground via capillary action. The device mimics the insulating effect bird feces provide to germinating seeds.
