Underground foil system - Podfol

For a successful fight against drought it is necessary to harmonize irrigation with natural characteristics of climate and arid lands. "Podfol" is  project of passive of the irrigation system from below. General awareness of global heating  and gas emissions makes this project inevitable when it is known that rain is the best source of moisture in the soil, and that an established farming practice increases gas emissions in the atmosphere. Other than protecting the environment by reducing the emission of CO2, the Podfol system would help improve the agricultural development and its biodiversity, as well as decrease the amount of water, fertilizers, and protective substances used. Podfol is an underground component of the land, placed in such a way that it does not interfere with production. The technical solution looks like  mulch foil at a depth of 30-70 cm below the roots.

Climate change is degrading soils and crop production is declining. Such lands are called "depleted loose soils". By depletion of the humus that gives the soil its black color, the color of land is is dominated by lighter shade similar to sand. Looseness is property of composition of sand particles, so depletion of humus establishes an unbound structure. Water absorption is small and short and has the characteristic of flowing into the depths, so there is no mud on them.

Loss of nitrogen and carbon by leaching and evaporation, made distinction between the decomposition and synthesis of organic matter in the soil, which leads to depletion of fertility. The increased emission of gases from the soil caused by the decomposition of organic matter is higher than the consumption for the synthesis of organic materials, so the difference between carbon and nitrogen is emitted in the atmosphere.

In conditions  of drought, photosynthesis decreases, and the increased air presence  in the soil at the expense of water breaks down the biomass to the gas component CO2. Without a sufficient amount of water in the soil, photosynthesis cannot regenerate biomass and it is permanently reduced, which is significantly reduced by the humus content.

The conceptual solution is taken from nature, observed by field determination of land quality. Visually similar soils on the surface differed in appearance and crop yield. By digging of pedological profiles, it was determined that this difference in yield  is because in some plots is noticed  existence of a deeper compacted layer, poorly permeable to water, which enabled a permanent increase (field capacity) of water capacity  on these soils. Setup and installation of Podfol system is performed with an UNDERGROUND FOIL LAYER The working body of the machine consists of a vertical knife which determines the depth of placement of the foil. The shape of the foil in the soil is formed by two side horizontal profile knives with a lower cut. In the extension of the vertical and side knives, there is a hollow body of the machine with a foil divider.  Foil is unwound from the 40 cm wide roll by pulling. Foil is broken on the divider by passing through the machine in one strip 80 cm wide and remains in the trace of the side knives.

Our intention is to offer "Podfol" to the world. Because the problems it deals with, and solves them, are present at the global level.

Climate change is degrading soils and crop production is declining. Intensive agricultural production depletes the land. The "depleted loose soils" problem is becoming more widespread and is one of the global problems in agriculture

It is estimated that one third of the arable land in the world is endangered by drought and the process of depletion. However, their share in production is higher and more significant because they represent  a significant source of income for the community.  Parts of the ecosystem: climate (precipitation + temperature), vegetation - agricultural production, land and man and the social community, establish the balance of matter circulation (change of physical state and chemical composition) under the influence of solar energy. The heat energy of the Sun heats the soil and plants, which increase the evaporation and transpiration of water in the soil. In conditions of drought, photosynthesis decreases, and the increased presence of air in the soil at the expense of water breaks down the biomass to the gas component CO2. Without sufficient amounts of water in the soil, photosynthesis cannot regenerate biomass and microorganisms, which is reflected in reduced humus content

"PODFOL" is an agricultural and ecological measure of renewing the productivity and fertility of depleted land. By permanently increasing the field capacity of humidity, sufficient amounts of water will be provided for the process of photosynthesis and increasing of plant mass. Water will reduce soil air and biomass decomposition to the CO2 gas component. New balances of matter circulation will be established. Crop residues after crop removal will contain more CO2 than the amount emitted by the soil and will serve to create a reserve of organic matter substances measurable by the percentage of humus

The podfol is designed in such a way that it can be used to grow any agricultural plant without interfering with the growing process. In this way, farmers, who decide to install Podfol on their plots, will have the same production process as usual, but will also have better results, and thus generate higher income.

Other irrigation systems contain massive equipment which often cannot be combined with other irrigation technologies.  The solution of water movement in the soil to the roots, which depends on the properties of the soil, is left to the users of the system, which leads to an excessive level of water consumption.  The result of this irrigation practice is poor agriculture and expensive food production. For market-based irrigation, which would be the backbone of agricultural development, we must address the needs of the system users created from natural and social conditions: increased and safe production, reduced usage and maintenance costs, ensured durability and safety, reduced water consumption to save the soil and repair its quality.

 The benefits of this system are seen in:

- the simplicity of use because it does not require a change in production technology

- creating opportunities for users to increase and expand production

- implementing abandoned land into the food production process

- the lack of maintenance costs

- the stabilization of fertility levels by increased humus synthesis

- reducing the amount of water required for irrigation (this preserves atmospheric water and nutrients).

- facilitates the rational application of environmentally friendly and organic production

- Podfol is a permanent measure, and it is not exposed to destruction and theft.

The solution to the movement of water in the soil to the roots, which depends on the properties of the soil, is left to the users of the system, which leads to an excessive level of water consumption. The result of this irrigation practice is poor agriculture and expensive food production.

Ecologically endangered communities in which areas with "depleted loose land" are expanding, are experiencing an economic and demographic collapse with the decline in agricultural production. Depletion of the land and reduction of vegetation endangers the environment with the appearance of sandstorms. Life in many communities becomes unbearable in many ways, which leads to the migration of the active population and the abandonment of arable land. Implementation of a Podfol system  prevents the desertification of land and increases yields, which gives opportunities for agricultural development and economic empowerment of farmers with preservation of ecosystem biodiversity.

"Podfol" is a synthesis of patents, scientific, practical and experimental works. The patent application was filed on August 28, 1989 as an "Underground Foil roller", and was published in the SFRY Patent Gazette: 5/93. "Underground Foil roller" was first presented in 1990, at the 57th International Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad and awarded a gold medal.

We need help to create high-quality prototypes of foil layers as well as the purchase of basic equipment and system setup. For the commercial application of the innovative system, it is necessary for the state to provide an equal economic environment to farmers  who accept innovation. Currently, the state promotes the sale of irrigation equipment with subsidies, and does not recognize the quality of land, excessive water consumption, the effects and harmful consequences of irrigation, as a criterion for subsidies.  

Innovation is reflected in the scientific approach to the problem of land desertification in relation to similar projects that did not have an ecological approachParts of the ecosystem: climate (precipitation + temperature), vegetation - agricultural production, land and man and the social community, establish the balance of matter circulation (change of physical state and chemical composition) under the influence of solar energy. The heat energy of the Sun heats the soil and plants, which increase the evaporation and transpiration of water in the soil. In conditions of drought, photosynthesis decreases, and the increased presence of air in the soil at the expense of water breaks down the biomass to the gas component CO2. Without sufficient amounts of water in the soil, photosynthesis cannot regenerate biomass and microorganisms, which is reflected in reduced humus content

Development of the company and technology would be done in the Serbian market due to favorable conditions. In this moment we manage to install Podfol on two locations near city of Zrenjanin. In first year this land gave up to 40% more yield than average.

In the first year of operation, the company will stabilize operations and procedures and create material conditions for increasing the capacity by purchasing the necessary equipment. The leasing of agricultural land in the vicinity of Zrenjanin, where the semi-arid Pannonian climate in the conditions of irrigation and dry fodder prevails, and the installation of Podfol will provide a direct insight into the results of the system's application to the potential user.

The long-term goal of the company is its entry into the market with successful and stable operations that will ensure constant growth and high profit. The short-term goal of the company is to provide a material basis for its business. The material basis would be provided by crediting or associating with other companies in foreign markets.

In Serbia, at the location of Lukino selo and Orlovat, where the semi-dry Pannonian climate prevails, the land on the worse parts of the parcel was chosen for the installation of the "Podfol" system with irrigation and dry soil processing. In order to determine the results, a method of comparing the biological characteristics of crops and weed vegetation was used, as well as the measurement of soil moisture in parts of the plot on which the Podfol system was installed. Result was that "Podfol contributed to a better
harvest of pepper in number and size of fruits.Other irrigation systems contain massive equipment which implies the direct transmission of technology. The solution of the water movement in the soil to the roots, which depends on the properties of the soil, is left to the users of the system. This equipment may be incompatible with soil and climate characteristics. The result of this irrigation practice is poor agriculture, and expensive food production. For market-based irrigation, which would be the backbone of agricultural development, we must address the needs of users of the system created from natural and social conditions: increased and safe production, reduce usage and maintenance costs, ensure durability and safety reduce water consumption save and repair land quality.  

2 persons on voluntary basis

Miro Medjo – 62 years, team leader, engineer of water management melioration. During field researches he came up with idea of Podfol system.

Zdravko Stojanov – 40 years , Project Coordinator with a  history of working in the government relations industry. 

Although Serbia is a country of great innovators like Nikola Tesla, and Mihajlo Pupin today, we can not say that the state of Serbia supports innovation. Even at the time of Tesla and Pupin, these two scientists received fame and recognition and better conditions for their work outside the borders of Serbia. "Podfol" system was an idea created 30 years ago. At the time, this idea was unique in the market, today there are similar systems, but none of them has any results as "Podfol" as well as the ratio of money invested and possible profit.  Due to the lack of legal regulations for financing innovative projects designed by individual , the Podfol project was financed from personal funds. The current competition for the "Podfol" system are  different kinds of  irrigation systems that are much more expensive and are solving  the problem using large amounts of water which is environmentally unacceptable, but there are no alternative solutions on the market because of the expensive process of developing a more favorable solution. "Podfol" has been developed for 30 years on basis of field research  and with  minimal investment it is ready to enter the market and offer unique  solution in irrigation of the land.

Monitoring and evaluation of the project would, depending on the financing resources, be conducted by a scientific expert institution from abroad that would be interested in worldwide technology transfer 

Project is in line with the theme of sustainable development since the key activity is development of regenerative agriculture .We are of opinion that the action contributes to sustainable development to the greatest extent as it directly improves the quality of life where sufficiently developed.

Project team members  are committed to equal opportunities in project implementation and delivery of results. The policies and practices of the partners aim to promote an environment that is free from all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination and values the diversity of all people. Design of the project offers equal opportunities to all natural and legal entities regardless  to their nationality, religious beliefs, skin color or physical condition. 

As a rule, innovative technologies on the market in Serbia fail to find commercial application. The market accepts "innovations" that have been confirmed abroad, and the practice is that in order for domestic innovation to be accepted, it needs to be confirmed by foreign institutions.

With the help of this challenge „Podfol“ would confirm itself as a ecological measure to restore productivity and fertility of depleted loose land. Our innovation will encourage the innovation of farmers who will become innovators themselves in production by applying innovative technology. 

For the commercial application of the innovative system, it is necessary for the state to provide an equal economic environment to investors who accept innovation. Currently, the state promotes the sale of irrigation equipment with subsidies, and does not recognize the quality of land, excessive water consumption, the effects and harmful consequences of irrigation, as a criterion. Such systems are unsustainable in the long run due to reduced profits. This situation has led to the paradox that the more investments are made in "irrigation", the less irrigated areas are. With a share of subsidies of 60% of the investment for equipment that "PODFOL" puts in a subordinate position. Acceptance of the innovation by MIT would be a recommendation for its acceptance in Serbia.

The commercial application of the innovative system exceeds the capabilities of innovators, because it is necessary to overcome the monopoly position of irrigation equipment manufacturers who provide state subsidies to their customers. Subsidies reduce the cost of investment to customers, avoiding competition, the quality of service decreases. 

In the realization and implementation of this project, as a partner, we see USAID or a similar organization that has a strong international presence and a network of experts. The cooperation would enable direct contact and monitoring and evaluation of the project, which would be carried out, depending on the partnership, by a scientific expert institution from the USA that would be interested in technology transfer to the USA or other regions where this system can be applied.

The support of MIT Solve, and USAID, would be reflected in the fact that as institutions dealing with the problem of drought, land protection and climate change, they give an opinion on the need for its implementation in the USA and other countries, as well as possible guidelines and suggestions for improving the existing system.

When it comes to sustainability of soil and the environment, the climate, vegetation and human influence are interconnected factors. Global melting and aggressive soil cultivation lead to drought and soil degradation in dry areas, reducing fertility by reducing the amount of humus. In dry soil, the mineralization process of organic matter increases, i.e. humus in CO2, H2O, NH3, etc. and reduces humus production and photosynthesis. Difference created by this process causes CO2 emissions and nitrogen loss. Emission of CO2 is the negative impact of soil in the matter circulation process. By reducing the amount of humus through land degradation by 1% in the soil, 30t of carbon per hectare gets released over a twenty-year period.On degraded soil,  increase in fertility through a higher level of synthesis of organic matter (vegetation, residuals, microorganisms, humus and fauna) is the first condition to ensure stable soil moisture. Other than protecting the environment by reducing the emission of CO2, the Podfol system would help improve the agricultural development and its biodiversity, as well as decrease the amount of water, fertilizers, and protective substances used.

PODFOL "is an innovation in personal ownership initiated by personal work and financed from personal fund of team members, without a cent of donations. In the previous 30 or more years, the innovative activity has been conducted with more and less success, which are experiences that will direct the use of funds in the further development of innovation in order to „Podfol“ become available to as many users as possible.