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STORYLINE: It's the worst drought Mexico has experienced in 71 years and farming communities are being hit hard. Here in the state of Jalisco, there's been no significant rain for nearly 18 months and families are going hungry from lack of arable produce. But engineer, Sergio Rico Velasco is hopeful that his creation can save Mexican towns from extreme poverty by allowing them to minimise the effects of an increasingly unpredictable climate. It's called 'Solid Rain' and according to Velasco, it's already helping farmers across the region. Solid Rain is a polymer that comes in the form of a sugar like powder. It works by absorbing water in high quantities and retaining its humid properties for up to 40 days, so that when planted into the soil, crops can continue to grow with or without regular rainfall. Velasco says: "Solid Rain allows them (farmers) to start planting at least 3 or 4 weeks ahead of the rainy season. When the rains come, whatever humidity has been consumed is replenished. If the rains stop for some time, the Solid Rain that's in the root, allows for the plant's growth to continue without the plant suffering stress due to lack of water." He explains: "Generally, plants begin to grow, and if it doesn't rain in a short period of time, the plant dies because the humidity is too little for its level of resistance. With this technology, which provides a reserve of humidity to the root, the plant can not only deal with the drought, but it can even continue growing." Aguahedionda - a small farming village in the mountains of Autlan in Jalisco - has been experimenting with Solid Rain for several years and farmers here say the benefits are evident. Eusebio Martinez says: "We see the trees which were planted some six years ago using Solid Rain. Not too long ago there were some trees that died, and we were digging the ground to plant new ones and we could see the Solid Rain was still working." According to Velasco, traditional irrigation systems lose an estimated 80 percent of liquid due to filtering through the soil. Filtering is even more pronounced in soil that has been eroded due to poor farming practices - a common problem in Mexico where farmers traditionally burn their fields in order to prepare them for the season. The lack of absorption is particularly problematic during times of drought, when rainfall is sporadic at best. By preventing the water from filtering through the soil, Solid Rain ensures that the benefits of the water are maximised by maintaining a constant level of humidity on the plants' roots. In order for Solid Rain to be effective communities first need to develop methods to collect and store rain water. That reserve is then used to make Solid Rain. Roughly 1 kilo (2.2lbs) of the dry polymer is enough to solidify 500 litres (132 US gallons) of water. The Solid Rain is worked in its gelatinous solid form into the soil where the seeds are to be planted. The highly absorbent polymer can also be planted in its dry form where eventual rainfall will hydrate it. The area where it is planted is covered with organic material to prevent as much evaporation of the water as possible. Velasco says the humidity created by the product does not alter the PH of the water and therefore does not affect the chemical makeup of the crops. This process can be effective for as long as six years, as the polymer maintains its absorption properties and begins the cycle anew every time it rains. Velasco is working alongside agronomist, Domingo Huerta. They hoping to receive government funding to help highlight the benefits of Solid Rain across Mexico. You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/9e1028c1588fba5b358587e2381c929c Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork