Rainwater Harvesting and Automated Off-Grid Irrigation for Food and Water Security in Guatemala

Research was conducted at the Barbara Ford Peace Building Center in Santa Cruz del Quiché, Guatemala regarding the effects of climate change on food and water security. A rainwater harvesting system and an off-grid automated irrigation system were designed and analyzed as methods of decreasing water scarcity and labor intensity in the agricultural sector. The rainwater harvesting system was constructed at the Barbara Ford Peace Building Center and used to collect local rainwater capture data over several weeks. Cost analysis of the system was performed and its yields at a rural home nearby were projected. A cost analysis was also performed on the automated irrigation system. Off-grid power sources were also appropriately sized and recommended for the system. Lastly, the client was also given specific crop recommendations for cultivation in Quiché.