Biosystems engineering for cooperation projects with developing countries

Methods The cooperation projects were realized in the Meru region of Kenya, on the eastern slopes of Mount Kenya. The University of Bari’s activities included: the hydrological study of Kitheno River; site visits to Kenya; design of the bridge; courses for the staff of Meru Herbs on the cultivation of chamomile; protection of river banks by means of natural engineering works; financial reporting; dissemination activities. The construction of the bridge was carried out by the workers of the professional school of the Salesians of Embu (Kenya) and its construction was completed in 2012. Two systems for water treatment were designed and their installation was concluded in 2014; one system, with a capacity 0.3 m3h-1, was designed for the exclusive service of Meru Herbs production, a second smaller unit, with a capacity of 0.1 m3h-1, equipped with a UV rays system, was designed for drinking water supply for the farm’s staff and the people living around the farm. Results The construction of the bridge allowed about 2500 farmers to get to Meru Herbs location, in order to deliver the agricultural products to the company. The new bridge has withstood all the floods of the river. The result of the installation of the water treatment systems was to provide drinking water both for the canned food production and for the company workers. As a fallout of the project it should be noted that the population of the nearby village can take drinking water by filling water containers at the Meru herbs organisation. Acknowledgements The cooperation activity, carried out by the “Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo - Università di Bari”, was funded by Regione Puglia.