Human ingenuity has a lot to offer. One example: Japanese farmer and philosopher Masanobu Fukuoka invented a system for effortless planting that would protect the seed from being eaten by ants, birds or rodents. He created clay and compost pellets and lodged a seed inside, he has created the ‘Nengo Dango‘, also known as ‘seed bombs’

“It’s a very ingenious system with many advantages,” explains Pepita Cardona, environmental technician for the Sant Antoni City Council of Sant Antoni, “the ball protects the seed, with the rain, it falls apart and the seed germinates. It is very effective. In addition, you don’t have to dig to plant it, it’s effortless, and for children it’s a fun and enjoyable activity.

A statement that is easy to confirm, since the 50 students of 5th and 6th grade of the Can Bonet primary school in Sant Antoni had a great time yesterday throwing the ‘nengo dangos’ down the slope of the Talaia de Sant Antoni. The aim is to replant the hill after the fire it suffered in 2020, which many children still vividly remember.

“I was very sad because it’s my favorite mountain,” says Lucía, while Ana, a friend of hers, recalls that day in August when almost six hectares of pine forest burned: “I could see the smoke from my grandmother’s house. Helicopters and planes flew overhead”.

Un Grupo De Alumnos Se Prepara Para Lanzar A La Vez Sus ‘Nengo Dangos’.A group of students prepare to launch their ‘nengo dangos’ at the same time | Vicent Marí

Seed bombs away!

After receiving instructions, the children climb the hillside. “It is important to replant, especially the sloping area, because it suffers the most from erosion,” Costa points out. In total, the Sant Antoni City Council has acquired 100.000 seeds from the Banc de Llavors de Balears with native vegetation from the island, such as junipers, shrubs, lavender, mastic and rosemary, as explained by the councilor of Environment and Governance, Neus Mateu: “Our Talaia will be much greener”

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