A P E CA J U N E N E WS L E T T E R

APECA

BREAKTHROUGH IN
VEGETABLE GARDENING!
El Fundo APECA

Survival is stressful. Day to
day subsistence living is a chal-
lenge that can be met with good nutrition, however,
rainforest soil is not suited for quality agricultural pro-
duction. Vegetables full of nutrients correcting exist-
ing nutritional deficits and building strong bodies is an
important part of the solution.

Aquaponics has been perfected and used effectively
for several years in many areas throughout the world,
areas that are not typically suited for vegetable garden-
ing. The project models developed at El Fundo address
the challenges of sustainable living in the flood zone of
the Amazon River basin. Close supervision and dedi-
cated attention to environmental and cultural details of
the immediate area provide a high rate of success for
APECA and of course any community eventually in-
corporating the use of the improved methods taught at
El Fundo study center.

The primary work for getting the processes started re-
quires locating the necessary indigenous plants that are
large enough to serve as the beds on which the vege-
tables will be planted and grown.

By floating the plants on
ponds saturated with organic
materials, normal gardening
practices that require dry soil
are eliminated, and the plants
are put on organic super-
drive. The local ponds, of El
Fundo, (pictured) are perfect for this project.

Following are several of the benefits that can be made
available to local residents:
1. No weeding is needed
2. No artificial fertilizers are needed
3. No worries about plants being flooded
4. No worries about soil pests
5. Normal growing and maturing time is accelerated

Peruvian government reports from the Ministry of Ag-
riculture refer to the region of Loreto, as being an agri-
cultural area. Further references indicate that 80% of
this region, that comprises approximately 1/3

of the
geographical country of Peru, is unfit for agriculture.
The indicator for this
statement is the quali-
ty of the soil. The
implications of the
condition described
by the government are
enormous and seem-
ingly insurmountable.

APECA is ready to jump in and work on the solution.
APECA has demonstrated, repeatedly, Education is
the answer!

Most importantly, this process can be readily under-
stood and duplicated with shoulder to shoulder effort
that is happening now.

Think for a moment about the implications for not only
the rainforest, but many other areas of the world that
need quality nutrition and are challenged by the costs
of traditional farming.

Watch for more on this exciting new project as it takes
hold with you and APECA , on the ponds of El Fundo.

For more information on this and other sustainable
development projects that you can impact at home or in
the field, go to
www.apecaperu.org or
www.globalministries.org/get-involved/mission-
opportunities/

Gina Low