UTEC: Air Orchard

In the Bujama region of Peru, irrigation comes from local rivers. But these rivers can be contaminated with arsenic, lead or cadmium that can seep into nearby farmland and crops. FCB Mayo Peru and its client UTEC (University of Engineering & Technology) the creators of water and air purifying billboards in 2013 and 2014, respectively have created an "Air Orchard" to demonstrate that pollution-free food can be grown and behavior can be changed through innovative engineering. "Currently, organic products are gaining significance, compared to chemically treated products. UTEC wanted to work out the most efficient way to grow a crop of 2,000 heads of lettuce using the clean water generated by the panel," said Jessica Ruas, UTEC marketing director. "In addition to growing lettuce, the billboard still produces 96 liters of drinking water a day to provide for the surrounding community." The "Air Orchard" uses the NFT (Nutrient Film Technique) system of hydroponics. The billboard consists of 10 large dehumidifiers that carry water through a series of tubes coated in nutrients. The white PVC tubes also reflect the sun’s rays and boost photosynthesis. Compared to soil-based farming, hydroponics garners five times more nutrients and sunlight while optimizing production of quality and space. The results have been staggering. More than 2,800 heads of lettuce are given away weekly to passersby and the local community from the "Air Orchard" billboard site on the Panamericana Sur, Peru's largest and most important highway.