Converting Water Hyacinth from nuisance
into Useful Commercial Products
Our mission is to turn the Florida Water Hyacinth problem into a blessing.
The water hyacinth has been called the worst aquatic plant in the world. These plants have a tremendous growth and reproductive rate and the free-floating mats cause substantial problems for people living in its growing area.
The water hyacinth has been called the worst aquatic plant in the world. These plants have a tremendous growth and reproductive rate and the free-floating mats cause substantial problems for people living in its growing area.
Our Specific Goals
1. To partner with Floridian leaders in the development of this project.
2. To provide the training, technology and skills needed to build industries that will generate a higher level of sustainable income for the people of Florida.
3. To design the project for the benefit of the people of Florida.
4. To identify the industries throughout Florida in areas where water hyacinth infestation is a significant problem and where production will provide the maximum value.
5. To identify products which provide maximum opportunities for local economic development, improved health and opportunities for the local people, and products for international markets.
6. To solve the water hyacinth problem.
2. To provide the training, technology and skills needed to build industries that will generate a higher level of sustainable income for the people of Florida.
3. To design the project for the benefit of the people of Florida.
4. To identify the industries throughout Florida in areas where water hyacinth infestation is a significant problem and where production will provide the maximum value.
5. To identify products which provide maximum opportunities for local economic development, improved health and opportunities for the local people, and products for international markets.
6. To solve the water hyacinth problem.
The Problem
The water hyacinth reproduces through clonal propagation via its stolons, that is, through stems which form new plants at their tips. Stolons are fragile, they break easily, and so they break off easily and float to new locations. The blooms last for only one day. After this, they release an amazing amount of small seeds, some of which germinate immediately, while the others lie dormant for up to fifteen years. In the growing season, twenty-five plants can generate two million offspring. The hyacinth can double in size every five days.
The hyacinth by its very nature clogs waterways and therefore impacts travel and commerce. It also depletes oxygen from the water, which in turn makes marine life difficult.
The key to the solution is to control the growth. Conservation farming techniques and water treatment before industrial discharge can minimize growth.
The hyacinth by its very nature clogs waterways and therefore impacts travel and commerce. It also depletes oxygen from the water, which in turn makes marine life difficult.
The key to the solution is to control the growth. Conservation farming techniques and water treatment before industrial discharge can minimize growth.
The Solution
We recognize that economic growth is a key factor for poverty reduction and that agriculture plays a key role in this process. A dynamic agricultural sector will pull up wages and gradually eliminate the worst dimensions of absolute poverty. The water hyacinth is more than an agricultural product. It is also a natural resource for industrial products. Higher rates of growth in agricultural productivity promote broad-based economic growth, reduce rural poverty, and conserve natural resources. As Florida moves forward on developing the agricultural sector, it must include all organizations and institutions that generate, share, import and use agricultural knowledge to accelerate agricultural growth and industrial production.
Partial List of Products made from
the Water Hyacinth
Organic soil builders and mulch.
Organic animal feed. Non-toxic insect repellant. Organic animal and plant insecticides. Environmental restoration. Energy and fuel co-generation. Particle board. |
Furniture.
Textiles and fiber. Currency grade paper pulp. Processed human foods. Processed vitamins and protein additives. Non-toxic human food preservatives. Pharmaceuticals. Cosmetics. |
Financial Summary
Underlying assumptions:
Financial Highlights:
- Ultimate Earth Water Solutions, LLC, will develop other products allowing price fluctuations in-line with materials and production costs.
- Sales invoices to be paid when units are dispatched from factory.
- Each month's production is sold the following month.
- Factory will be set up in Florida.
- Pay as you go has been assumed for taxes and all other governmental fees and assessments.
Financial Highlights:
- Cash positive in each year of operation.
- One million dollars committed to Research & Development.
- Ultimate Earth Water Solutions cash surplus reinvested into new market areas.
- Interest rates remain near current levels.