Aquaponics – A modern solution to an ancient problem

Throughout the world there are places that have soil that is no longer able to sustain growth of any kind. Africa in particular has many areas where the soil has been farmed-out and is no longer capable of producing any crops. Whether due to substandard farming methods, or improper drainage, or a general lack of water and soil minerals, the end result is usually the same. Starvation. There are already far too many people suffering from starvation in our world. Many relief organizations spend millions of dollars every year importing food supplies into these areas. Most of the time the food is substandard and of minimal nutritional value. It keeps the people alive, but just barely. This is just a band-aid on an open wound.

Recently we learned about a fellow in California by the name of Chuck Parker that is doing some groundbreaking work with a farming system called “aquaponics”. This system is a cross between aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics (soil-less plant farming). In aquaponics, the nutrient-rich water that results from raising fish provides a source of natural fertilizer for the growing plants. As the plants consume the nutrients, they help to purify the water that the fish live in. A natural microbial process keeps both the fish and plants healthy. This creates a sustainable ecosystem where both plants and fish can thrive. The aquaponics process actually speeds up the growth cycle. Chuck Parker has a small backyard aquaponics system set up, that right now can turn out 3,000 plants every six weeks. And then there is the fish. Chuck uses Tilapia, but catfish and trout can be farmed just as easily, based on the weather and water temperature conditions in the area. People are even having success with fresh water shrimp and crayfish.

Imagine the possibilities for rural African villages. Not only would they have fresh vegetables to eat, but they would also have fresh fish. Studies are already underway to find ways of producing these aquaponics systems in a low cost way that are easy to ship, assemble and use. The goal is to incorporate rain water collection systems, desalination systems and solar/wind driven pumps into the designs currently on the table to make a complete, self-sufficient, off-the-grid aquaponics growing system. There is no doubt that they will have an enormous positive effect on world hunger as we know it today. And the solution will come in a way that empowers the recipients and creates an environment where they are no longer dependent on anyone else for their survival. This is just one of the many creative solutions that Project Rhythm Seed is analyzing and will consider deploying once our financing is in place. If you would like more information on Chuck and his aquaponics system, Contact Us for more information.

.