Develop - Brainstorm
The following are ideas for devices that utilise methods of rapidly planting seeds.
Pottiputki Type Device - This device would be inserted into the ground and then levered open to allow seeds to fall through it into the soil. Then, the device could be pulled directly upwards to leave the seeds inserted, and soil may be kicked over. This device would be most effective in softer soils and milder climes, where rain and food are abundant. Its functionality would be entirely dependent on weight and surface density and would not be reliable in arid regions of Kenya.
Screw-in Seed Planter - This device would be similar to a corkscrew, drilling a hole into the soil through which seeds may be inserted. It would be placed on the surface of the soil, and rotary force would be used to drive the spoke downwards. Then, the seed(s) would be dropped through the centre of the drill. It would be more effective in softer soil but would work almost as well in drier, droughted conditions.
Hollow Hoe Planter - Such a device would be a hoe that has a hollow shaft. Such a shaft would have to be constructed from metal, as wood would not withstand the forces it would be subject to. The device would be wielded in the typical manner by being swung and slammed into the soil. Then, the farmer would drag the soil back and in deviation, drop seeds through the centre of the hoe to land in the aforementioned hole. One’s foot may be used to cover the seeds. To streamline this process, a mechanism would be constructed on the shaft to allow a spring-loaded catch to open and deposit seeds at the press of a finger; such a catch would have to be made incredibly durable to prevent damage.
Develop - Brainstorm: 2
The following is a synopsis of advice from an expert in the field.
A meeting was held with an expert in the field of seeds, seedballs, and conservation through forestry named Teddy Kinyanjui. Kinyanjui founded Seedballs Kenya and has been working on reforesting Kenya with devices called seedballs. He created this method about 10 years ago and has since created the company Speedballs Kenya to create, market, distribute, and plant these seeds around Kenya. Seedballs are seeds encased in a package of charcoal and other nutritious elements, which protects the seed until rain falls and allows it to sprout. (Seedballs Kenya)
He has also been working with rural communities to try to plant trees on the local level and has also been looking at many different methods of planting seeds and seedballs. He made the following suggestions during the meeting (Kinyanjui):
Use a strip of Inner Tubing for the catch mechanism instead of a spring, as the material is much more readily available in case of a need for repair.
Use local, lighter materials for the shaft and catch mechanism to decrease complexity and weight.
Consider the weight of such a tool - planting 10 seeds might be perfectly fine, but how would the same implement feel after 8 hours of work?
Consider the cultural taboos around disturbing the soil in some of the regions the initiative is targeting - Northern Kenyans see it as disrespectful to the soil and consist almost entirely of pastoralists. Instead, perhaps target companies dedicated to reforestation with this device.
Hollow Jembe Model 3
Develop - Brainstorm: 3
The following is a summary of the decision to switch from a hollow jembe to an attachment. It includes brainstorming methods.
The weight of the Jembe was a significant problem; there was no way to lighten the handle without impacting the structural integrity of the Jembe. Decreasing the weight using wood would allow for an attachment to the Jembe that could fill the same function as the Hollow Model. The Hollow Jembe model was put on hold. It was decided to continue with a Jembe as the base, as it is common in Kenya. A similar design was decided upon, that being a tube containing seeds, which would be released through some opening mechanism. The brainstorming stage revealed that the most effective method by which the catch mechanism would be in a stabbing motion, where the farmer did not need to change positions. This, in addition to prior advice from Kinyanjui about local materials, led to the following solution: An outer PVC pipe with a hole surrounding a longer, inner PVC pipe with the same sized hole, offset lengthwise by the diameter of the hole, would serve as a sealed containment for the seeds, and a slit drilled crosswise entirely through both tubes enclosing a strip of inner tubing (Henceforth Bladda) would allow tension to keep the hole closed. When the longer central tube was pressed, the holes would align, allowing seeds to drop out, and then the bladda would push the holes back out of alignment once pressure was alleviated.
Develop - Model
The following figures are diagrams and 3D Models of the basic idea of the Jembe Attachment. Henceforth, only the Jembe Attachment will be discussed.
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