Scaling Up Aquaponics and Feeding Communities

Scaling aquaponics with AI it is posible to create a viable and sustainable method of food production for communities in developing and contribute to the eradication of food insecurity

The specific problem I am trying to solve is food insecurity in low-income communities. This problem is not oriented in an specific community, instead, takes as reference the following Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.

Globally, it is estimated that around 821 million people suffer from chronic undernourishment. In developing countries, factors such as limited access to fertile land, water resources, and financial resources contribute to the problem. Additionally, traditional agricultural practices often rely heavily on the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can have negative impacts on both the environment and human health.

Problem: Food Insecurity and Malnutrition

- Sub Problem 1: Food Production

- Causes: Lack of arable land, Climate change and weather variability, lack of knowledge and resources for sustainable agriculture practices.

- Consequenses: Malnutrition, poor health, soil degradation and loss of biodiversity.

- Sub Problem 2: Water Management

- Causes: Limited water supply, lack of infraestructure for water storage and distribution, polution of water sources.

- Consequenses: Lack of acces to  clean and safe water, overuse and pollution of water resources.

- Sub Problem 3: Economic Development

- Causes: Lack of education and skill development opportunities, limited job opportunities.

- Consequenses: Lack of economic opportunities, inequality, low money rotation.

All this can have a detrimental effect on the overall well-being and development of individuals and communities.

Aquaponics systems are a sustainable and efficient way to produce food in areas where land and water resources are scarce or contaminated. The combination of fish farming and plant cultivation in a closed-loop system, saving water  not only addresses the issue of food security, but also provides economic and educational opportunities for communities in developing countries.

Aquaponics have the potential to be the best way to produce food and resources for these communities. But aquaponics faces several challenges when it comes to scalability, including:

1.  Variety of crops: Growing different types of crops in an aquaponic system can be difficult as they require specific conditions that are affected by different variables. This makes it challenging to provide a diverse and nutritious production of crops. 

2.  Workforce: Traditional aquaponic farms require a large, well-trained workforce in order to maintain the system. 

3.  Water consumption: Even though aquaponic farms use significantly less water than traditional crops, implementing large-scale aquaponic farms in communities with limited resources can be a challenge. Additionally, aquaponic farms require electricity to power different elements of the system.

To address these challenges, this solution aims to incorporate technology in  form of Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and Water Purification. By using Machine Learning the system can identify optimal values and suggest actions. Additionally, computer vision technology can be used to monitor and identify changes in the crops and fish, which can help to maintain the system with less need for a highly-qualified workforce.

In addition to addressing scalability challenges, this technology will also help to generate job opportunities within the communities by creating jobs in the operation, maintenance, and management of the aquaponic system. This will provide economic and educational opportunities for communities in this communities, and help to improve their overall well-being.

The target population for this solution is communities in developing countries that are facing food insecurity. These communities often lack access to sufficient land and water resources for traditional forms of agriculture, and may also be dealing with contaminated or scarce water sources. The population affected by this problem includes both urban and rural communities, and can include marginalized groups such as indigenous populations and those living in poverty.

This solution aims to address the needs of these communities by providing a sustainable and efficient method for food production through the use of aquaponics. By incorporating technology in the form of Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision, and Water Purification, I aim to optimize and automate the system, making it more accessible and effective for these communities.

Additionally, this solution will help to generate work opportunities in these communities, providing a source of income and empowerment. This can help to alleviate poverty and improve the overall well-being of the community.

As a single individual, I could describe myself as passionate about learning.

My interests in different areas have allowed me to easily adapt to different teams and find innovative solutions to problems in changing environments.

This year I will get my Marketing and Logistics Bachelors Degree, also I am enrolled in the Professional Certificate in Data Analysis.

I am part of the Scout Movement and I get a deep interest in social projects and volunteer.

I am really passionate about different areas and that helped me to have an integral vision to solve problems.

I am sure that my background, skills and holistic aproach helped me to identify ignored opportunities and combine existing technologies in order to find a new solution.

My approach to understand the needs of the populationd that I want to serve is more empirical and related to my previous experiences but I would love to make the next step and conduct a formal research and interview subject matter experts.

Since I was a child I had the opportunity to visit different communities around my country. My mother was a social comunicator and because she can spek Quecha she had the job of divulgate topics related to gender equality, develop of opportunities and education in rural communities. I was part of a volunteer group in my school, this was more related to education but we also helped conduct food drives for communities affected by natural disasters and had the opportunity to travel to an under-resourced community when I was a senior in high school. Now, I am part of the Scout Movement and I participate activly in different projects.

My solution is an extention of a project that I made for college, it has a more commercial approach but I had to do a research using secondary sources of information, that helped me to get a good understanding about aquoponics and the problems of the industry.

My solution aims to take the concept of aquaponics one step further by incorporating technology in the form of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Vision.

The vast majority of aquaponics projects are limited by factors related to scalability and skilled labor. This poses a barrier to this industry and does not allow the benefits of aquaponics to reach the people who really need them. My solution utilizes existing technology and allows for a sustainable way to scale aquaponic systems, while creating employment and learning opportunities for people who are unfamiliar with aquaponics through automation.

By implementing this solution in a community I want to generate job opportunities and address the problem of food insecurity and malnutrition without having a negative impact on the community's economy but rather generating money rotation.

Being able to build the first aquaponic farm with this system will help to get feedback and replicate it in more communities

The aquaponic system is made up of several key components, including a fish tank, a substrate tank, a crop system, and a biofilter. The fish tank is where the fish are raised and their waste is produced. The substrate tank is where the plants are grown and where the waste from the fish is converted into a nutrient-rich substrate for the plants. The biofilter is used to purify the water and remove any remaining waste products before returning it to the fish tank.

In addition to these components, the system also requires a line of filtered air to provide oxygen to both the fish and the plants, as well as engines to move the water through the system. The system is designed to take advantage of the difference in fluid densities, with the fish tank located above the substrate tank and the crop system, allowing for gravity to assist in the flow of water through the system.

In terms of the technical implementation of Artificial Intelligence in the aquaponics project, Machine Learning techniques will be utilized to optimize and automate the system. Specifically, the project will use Python because it offers a wide range of powerful libraries and frameworks for implementing ML algorithms.

One key module that will be used is the scikit-learn library, which provides a wide range of supervised and unsupervised ML algorithms. This will be used to train the system to predict optimal values for different variables based on data collected from sensors and manual measurements.

Additionally, the TensorFlow and Keras libraries will be used for deep learning and neural network-based modeling. These libraries will be used to analyze the data collected from sensors and manual measurements, in order to make predictions and control the system.

The AI system would use a variety of parameters related to the fish, crops, and environment in order to optimize the performance of the aquaponic system. These parameters could include things like the weight of the fish, the amount of waste they produce, their nutritional requirements, the pH of the water, and the growth and health of the crops. The AI would use machine learning algorithms to analyze this data and identify patterns and trends, and then use that information to make predictions about the optimal values for different parameters and suggest actions that would help to improve the performance of the system. For example, if the AI determines that the pH of the water is too high, it might suggest adjusting the water chemistry to lower the pH, or if the crops are not growing well, it might suggest adjusting the lighting or fertilization to improve their growth

Computer vision will also be an important component of the project. We will be using the OpenCV library, which is an open-source library for computer vision and machine learning, to monitor and control the system. This will include tasks such as identifying changes in the crops and fish, recognizing patterns, and making predictions.

It's important to mention that this technology will be used to provide data and make predictions but the system will still need regular maintenance, some manual adjustments and monitoring, this is why is important to train the personnel of the community to use the system and detect the common problems.

In terms of resources, the system will require a camera, sensors, and a computer or microcontroller to run the AI algorithms and control the system. Additionally, the system will require a power source, internet connectivity, and adequate storage for data collection and analysis.

Water purification for this project involves using mechanical methods to clean the water used in the aquaponic system. This includes using filters such as sand filters, carbon filters and reverse osmosis systems. These filters remove impurities and contaminants from the water, making it safe for the fish and plants. The filters are simple to maintain and can be used in different settings.

The system is designed to be simple and scalable, with the potential to be implemented in a variety of settings, making it a versatile solution for addressing food insecurity in developing countries. 

Bolivia has faced food security problems due to natural disasters during the last decade, although hunger has been reduced, some communities are still vulnerable and this type of project would help them. By creating an aquaponic farm in one of these communities, taking as an example a community with a high vulnerability indicator in Cochabamba, the solution could provide food for at least 137 people and develop the community's economy.

There are financial barriers, to implement this solution requires a high investment in AI development and then the construction and installation of the system.

These systems are very efficient, but require a high initial investment to function properly.

The business model for this project is focused on selling different types of fish and vegetables at accessible prices. By providing jobs to the community, families will have access to a source of income, which will positively impact the local economy. The main challenge at the start of the project will be the high investment required for the development and installation of the aquaponic system. However, it is expected that the project will be sustainable in the long-term and have a positive impact on the community's economy.

The social business model canvas includes:

1. Customer Segments: The target population for this project are low-income communities in rural and urban areas facing food insecurity.

2. Value Proposition: The project aims to provide a sustainable and efficient method of food production that combines fish farming with the cultivation of plants in a closed-loop system. This will address the need for food security in low-income communities.

3. Channels: The project will sell fish and vegetables directly to the community through local markets.

4. Customer Relationships: The project will work closely with the community to ensure that the system is accessible and effective for them.

5. Revenue Streams: The main revenue stream for this project will be the sale of fish and vegetables.

6. Key Resources: The key resources for this project include land, water, and technology such as Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision and Water Purification.

7. Key Activities: The key activities for this project include the development, installation and maintenance of the aquaponic system, as well as the training of community members to use the system.

8. Key Partners: The key partners for this project include local government and organizations, fish food and seeds providers as well as b2b clients like restaurants and local businesses.

9. Cost Structure: The main cost for this project will be the initial investment required for the development and installation of the aquaponic system. This will include costs for land, equipment, and technology. The project is expected to be sustainable in the long-term and will generate income through the sale of fish and vegetables.

10. Revenue Streams: The main revenue stream for this project will be the sale of fish and vegetables. The project will also generate income through the sale of water and other resources, as well as through the provision of jobs to the community.
    

The path to financial sustainability for this project is primarily through the sales of fish and vegetables produced by the aquaponic system. The project aims to provide high-quality, low-cost produce to low-income communities, allowing families to access healthy food at a more affordable price. Additionally, the project will create jobs within the community, which will help to stimulate the local economy and increase the community's overall purchasing power.

Another important revenue stream for the project is the sale of excess produce to secondary markets such as restaurants and grocery stores. This will provide additional income for the project and help to further stimulate the local economy.

In terms of funding, the project will require a significant initial investment to cover the costs of development, installation, and equipment. However, it is expected that the project will be self-sustaining in the long term and will not require ongoing donations or grants.

The project will work with the community to make sustainable energy sources such as solar or eolic energy in order to make the system more sustainable and affordable. In this way, the project will be able to maintain its operations and continue to provide food and jobs to the community.