Aquaponic Feast for Africa

1. Nation food security, skill and upliftment of women.

By creating  compact sustainable farming (Aquaponics) Hub which provides a good protein source and greens for local communities. Designed with all the modern Eco technology to make this project viable, efficient to run and maintain. 

2. Modular Aquaponic systems

An Aquaponics system Hub that has a footprint of 10000 sqm that can be placed anywhere necessary. A self contained self-sustaining unit that can provide protein (fish) and vegetables to the local community will providing job and other ancillary opportunities (sales, transport, processing etc.) 

Commercial sale of product will provide income to expand to the establishment of satellite module in the communities identified.

3. Scaled Globally

This farming method could be scaled anywhere on the planet, it requires 80% less water and land to produce totally organic nutritious food, with (350sqm) modules place in communities 

Food security is the number one problem been solved with this project.(The involvement of households in agricultural activities for subsistence farming can play an important role in reducing the vulnerability to hunger of rural and urban food-insecure households. The results show that out of 16,2 million households, about 2,5 million households (15,6%) were involved in agricultural activities in South Africa in 2017. Provinces that are predominantly rural and with high levels of poverty such as Limpopo (25%), Eastern Cape (20%) and KwaZulu-Natal (20%) had the highest proportions of households that relied on agricultural activities to supply their own food. Most households involved in agricultural activities were involved in the production of fruits and vegetables, grain and other food crops, as well as in livestock and poultry farming)Source http://www.statssa.gov.za/?p=12135

By providing a modular Eco-friendly solution which can be closely monitored and maintained by local trained individuals the need for large patches of land and rain water would not be necessary. This could be game changer for families where the sole bread winner is a Women (girl,mother, grandmother) as this farming project would be aimed at employing and empowering these individuals 

• How Aquaponics works

Aquaponics is a combination of aquaculture, which is growing fish and other aquatic animals, and hydroponics which is growing plants without soil. ... These beneficial bacteria gather in the spaces between the roots of the plant and converts the fish waste and the solids into substances the plants can use to grow.

• What does Aquaponics do

• What technology does it use

Aquaponics is self contained and uses gravity to filter the water from the fish tank through the grow bed but requires water pumps to sent the filtered water back to the fish tank. All these processes can be converted to Solar and wind energy thus making it complete self sufficient. The latest monitoring system can be implemented to assist in temperature and water quality control. By containing this system in the latest grow tunnel technology the carbon footprint would be nominal while producing large quantities of nutritional foods

• Who does this Aquaponics farm system serve?

This system because it can be placed anywhere it is necessary and will serve firstly communities and then national interests. Once established the community would have almost instant access to food security and the support that goes with the technology to maintain and sustain this farming project.

• What are their needs?

Results from the National Food Consumption Survey

(Labadarios, 2000) show that the majority of South

African households live in poverty, with a limited variety of foods (mainly staples) available in the home. Findings from this study also indicate that one out of two children has an energy intake less than two thirds of their energy needs, and that a great number of children consume a diet with too poor a nutrient density, to meet their nutrient (macro and micro) requirements.

Stunting and underweight (the country’s most prevalent nutritional disorders), are most severe in children one to three years of age, especially in those living in rural communities.

• Solution 

Providing high quality protein (Fish) rich in omega 3 & 6 with nutritious vegetable on the doorstep of this communities.

Creating jobs, self-esteem and community upliftment 

Aquaponics related to all the Challenges

• This farming method has a low impact on the environment in relation to the production process of other conventional farming activities.
• It produces a high protein product (fish) and nutritious vegetables all in one system.
• Aquaponics system allows for virtually emission-free sustainable food production. Thus the production of protein fish and high protein vegetables has a low carbon footprint 

One of the coolest things about Aquaponics is that it mimics a natural ecosystem. Aquaponics represents the relationship between water, aquatic life, bacteria, nutrient dynamics, and plants which grow together in waterways all over the world.

With this proposed ecosystem it can be taken and placed any where in the world. The object is to provide protein and nutritious vegetable to communities will providing employment and empowerment to marginalized individuals. 

These individuals do not get thrown in the deep end but just being provided with this farming module. They are trained and educated at a Hub where they receive training in water treatment, good farming husbandry, marketing and sales, finance, food processing and packaging and quality control etc.

When this internship has been completed successful candidates will get the opportunity to establish a module in their own identified communities   

This system is run all natural, water, sunlight and fertilized from fish waste. The technology used will be in the form of computer software to monitor the system, solar and wind generation to provide energy to run pumps, extraction fans and heaters.

Aquaponics has been in use in all parts of the world, providing a range of fish and vegetable product to the world fresh produce markets. It thus work for the generation of these essential product and can be scaled to provide for less fortunate communities

“You give a poor man a fish and you feed him for a day. You teach him to fish and you give him an occupation that will feed him for a lifetime.”

This is the crucks of the theory to provide a meaningful solution to food security, education, empower and employment to nations people. Changing the mindset to providing for yourself and fellow humans while not having to relying on governments and handouts to provide. 

Creating an hub economic activity where these Modular aquaponic system are situated, retaining the value generated in the community that it exists in, which in turn will change the general economic landscape for everyone.  

Initially the first established hub will server an estimated 50 people and their families, with the focus on establishing a commercial facility to train and mentor local entrepreneurs. Single modules will be developed to be established in areas where this farming technology could provide protein and nutritious food

One of these Aquaponic modular systems can serve a community of 50 people with a serving of protein and vegetables twice a week. These module can be scaled to include more units providing for more individuals.

In five years time we hope to have established 100 modules constantly supplying fresh produce to 5000 people and their families 

It is a constant challenge to get organization and Governments involved in these types of initiatives due to the the corruption involved at the government and community representative levels. But ultimately these types of organization will be engaged to assist and give guidance to establish co-operation.

Education in this technology is important over the next five year to have this farming project develop into a sustainable and viable source of food and income for all. 

The only barrier that exists is financial, with an commitment of financial assistance to this project one would be able to approach like minded private institution for assistance. This kind of assistance could be in the form of technical, legal or market barriers, forming alliances that could benefit this project and continue to expand it globally.   

By applying for a grant for financial assistant would benefit the this farming project and get it on it feet.

As mentioned before by getting the farming project financially funded and in production further alliances could be sort for private institutions and organizations

I'm currently the only one working on this solution but will have up to ten people working on it once it starts up and estimated 25 people in the following two years

I have good knowledge of farming in the South African conditions as  I have farmed commercially with cattle and game.

The team and I will surround ourselves with technology available to adequately train to provide professional assistance. Mentorship will be sort from leaders in business to guide and grow this solution.  

Working on partnerships with like minded individuals, organization and food industies

South Africa needs this kind of farming, especially for the growing and ever expanding population in the Southern African market. The construction of this Aquaponics project will lead to the development of the economic infrastructure, not only by means of job opportunities during construction, but also permanent posts at the farm. It could lead to the development of entrepreneurial skill for local inhabitants and the development of sustainable local informal businesses as well as community facilities.

The agricultural farming activities on this farm will support the national production capacity of the surrounding area.

During the project the sourcing, registration and training of suitable staff for the Aquaponics farm will take place. The level of employment will vary from assistant manager in training to cleaners and a vast range of skill will be require. During the project socio-economic and educational projects such as the establishment of day-care, jobs for and the raising of professional skill levels for national workers will be addressed in four categories, as discussed below.

Conceiving and starting with training programmes and creating opportunities for local communities skills, emerging contractors and subcontractors for the construction of the farm..The project will be designed in such a way that the work required is ergonomically optimal in terms of the handling of basic building elements, that the energy required for the construction activities are optimized and that the capital requirement for any appropriate tools and/or machinery will enhances the activity and delivery of a quality end product.

I am applying to Solve because I have tried to source funding from local and national Government institution that are aligned to supporting this kind of Eco-farming with no success. Although I have the necessary know how and experience the requirement is that I must be previously disadvantaged.

This kind of support usually goes to individuals that are aligned to the local and national Government of the day and is open to all kinds of corruption. There is good intent in certain circumstances but the knowledge and will to follow through is lacking as there is no form of mentor and leadership in place.

Corporate institution would like to contribute and invest in this cuase but would like to see progress first. Their contribution is aimed at getting coverage and rating from contributing to social development and education which comes later in this project.

• Food security program with Local and National Government
• Partnering with NGO's ( Non Governmental Organization) to provide food to the needy
• Partnering with International NGO's to expand this concept and exchange information to promote this Eco-farming worldwide.
• Partner with local member of the community to open their economic horizons

Thrive

Gift of the Givers

Above are links to some like minded institution that we would like to partner with, they have a track record and deal with these problem all over Africa

South Africa is the business and transport portal to the rest of Africa and it has a large community of Refugees from the rest of Africa. These refugees are subject to Xenophobia in South Africa due to the pressure they put on the local job market. All are destitute looking for a better life in South Africa some do succeed and thrive but the vast majority live on the street and depend on the Government for handouts, aid and health assistance.

This kind of project with the help of NGO's could provide assistance in the form of food, opportunities for distribution and processing and ultimately self employment 

From the onset of this solution the aim is to empower and employing women for this project. In South Africa women and their right to self sustain themselves has been suppressed by the Male dominated workplace.

This is an opportunity to do something that is traditional done by women and that does not  encroach on the traditional male dominated society

This farming method does not require heavy lifting and moving skill, it is clean and suited to women labour and management