Bangladesh is often called “ground zero for climate change”. Flood after flood, the intensifying storms destroy livelihoods and contribute to a salt concentration of more than 2% – a figure beyond which it is almost impossible to grow the usual species. This saltwater incursion leaves millions with little to drink or eat. It also jeopardizes the region’s rice culture and forces farmers to turn to shrimp farming, which is done by flooding fields with salt water. This process increases the salt concentration of the soil and contributes largely to the food insecurity of the people concerned because the shrimp they produce is simply too expensive for their own consumption.

WDO reached out to Guillemette de Brabant, a student at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle in France who has been working on the Coconut Alternative, a design solution to soil salinization for agriculture. She presented her project at an exhibition entitled “Matter Matters, Matières à penser/panser” towards a material ecology-driven design, in parallel with the Triennale in Milan in March 2019 at the French Institute.

How can coconut provide a solution to Bangladeshi farmers and develop responsible production practices?

Today, desalination methods are expensive and short term, requiring great resources for a result, which is only temporary. In addition, the introduction of new halophilic (salt-resistant) seeds is not always possible for sanitary reasons.

Coconuts are halophilic plants and provide a sustainable solution to soil salinization. The Coconut Alternative offers an economically viable, environmentally friendly solution, with almost no initial investment.

Bangladeshi farmers who grow vegetables are encouraged to dedicate part of their parcel to a coconut plantation. Leaves can be used to weave culture bags. The outer part of the coconuts, the mesocarp, would be used as a substrate, support for the development of vegetables. Known for its antiseptic properties, coconut fiber is an excellent substrate. It would be placed in the culture bags. Farmers could then grow the same vegetables in these bags as they did before but above ground, and this with a basic investment that would consist of a simple coconut. The inner part of the nuts, the coprah, would be sold, providing part of the financial security of families.

How is this new production process more responsible and efficient but also a growth generator?

I wanted to respect and provide solutions to three main aspects: farmers’ food security, their cultural heritage and their financial security, while trying to put an end to shrimp farming.

This soil-free agricultural solution produces no waste, does not pollute the soil, and is designed in a closed circuit.

The volumes and time frames have been checked: it takes 5.5 years for the scheme to become profitable (the time for coconut trees to produce their first coconuts and for vegetables to be planted), but in the mean time, farmers can continue their normal activities. Two to three coconut trees produce enough copra to pay the yearly rent of an average parcel of land.

We asked Guillemette:

Why did you want to become a designer? What would you like to do to change the world?

“After visiting the nursing home where my grandfather lived, I was dissatisfied with so many aspects of the environment. It upset me and I started wanting to find solutions to things that touched me, and then to things that touched others as well.

 I have the impression that being a designer is about never being satisfied with the current state of things, which is a little sad in a way but a source of energy and inspiration!”

About Guillemette de Brabant

Guillemette graduated from ENSCI in 2018 and has been working on the Coconut Alternative, a design solution to soil salinization for agriculture. She presented her project at an exhibition entitled “Matter Matters, Matières à penser/panser” towards a material ecology-driven design, in parallel of the Triennale in Milan in March 2019 at the French Institute. She is interested in service design, digital design, scientific vulgarization, edition and illustration.

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About ENSCI

ENSCI–Les Ateliers, the École nationale supérieure de création industrielle, is a French design school based in Paris. It is the only French national institute exclusively focused on design. It offers Undergraduate programmes in Textile Design, Industrial Design, Masters and Continuous Education Diplomas. It differentiates with a teaching method based on individualized curriculum and a focus on student’s backgrounds.

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