Proposal for Aquatic Plants-Based Food Industry
W. C. Dheerasekera External Collaborator of International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Overall Objective
Harnessing development potential of Aquatic plants-based Food Industry (APFI) to enhance food security
Immediate Objective
Identify strategic issues impeding development of APFI and introduce innovative strategic solutions to address those issues
Secondary Objectives
Developing operational tools for culturing and value addition to aquatic plants, establishing viability of culturing aquatic plants through Feasibility Studies, Identify policy constraints for development of APFI and propose institutional reforms
Development Focus
• Development of Aquatic Plants-based Food Industry is focus on Value Chain Development through Sustainable Development Initiatives • Development Constraints in Upstream, Midstream and Downstream of the Value Chain of the Industry are classified under three dimensions of sustainable development:- - Financial/Economic Sustainability - Environmental Sustainability - Social Sustainability • Development Initiatives are proposed by Sector Specialists to address the Development Constraints
Development Approach- Global
Sustainable Development Goal No: 2
End Hunger, Achieve Food Security, Improved Nutrition and Promote Sustainable Agriculture Development Approach- National
► Address the following objectives of the National Program on Food Production (2016- 2018)
Ensuring balanced development in the country by introduction and launch of a crop production program based on Agro Environmental Zones
Making available plentiful supplies of food in good quality by adopting an eco-friendly method thereby minimizing the use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides in food production
Contribute to promotion of food security and level of nutrition in the country through upgrading the quality of fish-based products, according to the acceptable hygienic standards
Optimize productivity and minimize cost of production by use of quality inputs and adoption of appropriate technological and mechanical methods in production Development Theme
►Promotion of Organic Foods Production is the Development Theme of the Four Food Industry Development Plan focusing on food value chain development
►Organic Food Production effectively address the strategy of Ministry of Primary Industries to integrate farmers, fishermen and small scale agro businessmen into the global economy with emphasis on increased value addition and maximizing export opportunities for primary industries
►Global sales for organic foods increased by more than 70% since 2002 reaching more than US$ 63bn in 2011
Project Team Name of Consultant National Positions Mr W. C. Dheerasekera Industry Strategy and Development Planning Specialist
Dr P. Wijewardena Agriculture Expert and Freshwater Ecosystem Management Specialist for Aquatic Plants Ms Maheeni Samarakoon Agriculturist & Coastal Resource Management Specialist
Dr Susil H. Liyanarachchi Consultant-Simplified Hydroponics Eng. S. Samarasinghe Engineering Development & Service Expert on Aquaponics
Eng. T. K. G. Ranasinghe Engineering Development of Post Harvest Technology & Value Addition Technology Expert
Dr Nandani Ediriweera Agriculture Expert & Value Addition Expert for Aquatic Plants based Food Industry Mr U. H. Palihakkara Financial Expert – Budget & Feasibility Studies Ms Udula Sedera Project Coordinator Aquatic Plants in Freshwater Expert’s Terms of Reference ► Dr P.Wijewardena- Agriculture Expert and Freshwater Ecosystem Specialist for Aquatic Plants
1. Assess the current status of aquatic ecosystem restoration in wet lands and man made reservoirs and recommend aquatic plants suitable for human consumption to be cultured in those freshwater settings
2. Present constraints for the culturing recommended aquatic plants in wet lands and man made reservoirs and propose development initiatives to address those constraints
3. Present a Hand Book on culturing aquatic plants in freshwater
4. Facilitate the preparation of a feasibility study by the Financial Expert on Culturing Aquatic Plants in Freshwater Portfolio of Projects
►Dr P. Wijewardena 1. Establishment of transit analytical laboratories to test water quality 2. Analysis lord of environmental toxins in food 3. Enabling the access for culturing aquatic plants 4. Development of non traditional cultural technologies for aquatic plants such as modified environmental technology for heavily contaminated environmental conditions Aquatic Plants in Hydroponics Expert’s Terms of Reference
►Dr. Susil Liyanarachchi –Expert on Hydroponic Systems
1.Introduce low cost simplified hydroponic system for culturing aquatic plants
2.Design low cost and user friendly electronic sensor for quantitative assessment of nitrogen, potassium etc. in simplified hydroponic system
3.Develop an Operational Manual for hydroponics for culturing aquatic plants Portfolio of Projects
►Dr S. H. Liyanaarchchi
Promotion of Simplified Hydroponics for Culturing Aquatic Plants Project Activities
► Pilot test the suitability of simplified hydroponics system (grow medium, grow boxes and the new nutrient solution developed for simplified hydroponics) for cultivating 5 species of selected aquatic plants.
► Duration – One year ► Budget – Rs. 125,000
Project Activities
►Pilot test the suitability of water culture hydroponics system (grow boxes and the new nutrient solution developed) for cultivating 5 species of selected aquatic plants.
►Duration – One year ►Budget – Rs. 125,000
Project Activities
►Determine the design parameters and the time duration of the water culture hydroponic system to function without aeration pumps to grow above aquatic plants
►Duration – One year ►Budget – Rs. 200,000
Project Activities
►Optimize the nutrient and water use in the above simplified water culture system to grow aquatic plants - Determination of the rate of nutrient uptake over time by the plants and the timing for nutrient replenishment.
►Duration – One year ►Budget – Rs. 525,000
Project Activities
►Design and manufacture UV resistant plastic grow boxes of different sizes to suit the space available and packaging for simplified hydroponics nutrients.
►Duration – One year ►Budget – Rs. 600,000
Project Activities
►Develop organic nutrient solution for simplified hydroponics system using non-toxic industrial waste.
►Duration – Two Years ►Budget – Rs. 500,000
Aquatic Plants in Aquaponics Expert’s Terms of Reference
► Eng. Sam Samarasinghe- Expert on Aquaponics
1. Assess the engineering design requirements for developing Aquaponic system to culture aquatic plants and develop prototype of model
2. Develop an operational Manual for Aquaponics
Post Harvest Technologies Expert’s Terms of Reference
► Eng. T.K.G.Ranasinghe
1. Develop Solar Powered Cold Room Facilities (for aquatic plants cultured in fresh water and in hydroponics & aquaponics ) and Develop Solar Powered Driers (for aquatic plants- seaweeds cultured in sea water )
2. Application of Vegetable Dehydration Technology for the aquatic plants cultured in freshwater, sea water, hydroponics & aquaponics
Portfolio of Projects
►Eng. T K G Ranasinghe
1. Adaptation of Solar Powered Cold Room 2. Adaptation of Solar and Wind Powered Driers 3. Dehydration Technology
Solar Powered Facilities.
High initial costs Very low operating costs Suitable for remote areas away from electric power lines. If designed as transportable modules, these will be installed and put into operation or relocated elsewhere within short periods. Clean Technology Simple operating skills for workers Safe for unskilled workers
Cold room facilities are required for fresh water based plants, hydroponics, aquaponics for
Good keeping qualities – long life up to point of consumption or further processing.
Facilitate preliminary processing such as cleaning, sorting, cutting to size, grinding etc.
Facilitate bulk packaging for preservation and good shelf life. Retaining quality, biochemical stability and hygiene (food value, texture, colour, flavor, taste)
Dryers are required for seaweeds
For all above reasons and
To avoid contamination with dust, sand, insects, and rodent attack
Application of vegetable dehydration technology for all aquatic plants will require solar dryers with heat concentrators and hot air using cabinets. This will avoid discoloration due to direct action of ultra-violet rays.
Locations of Post-Harvest Operations i) Culture of aquatic plants in new projects would be best in ancient tanks/reservoirs due to easy access with road transport and be suitable for women to work.
Easy access ►Example: Tissa wewa, Nuwara wewa in Anuradhapura.
►Less accessible
New reservoirs from the Mahaweli project will be less accessible, remote from human habitation and a less conducive environment for women to work.
►ii) Central processing facilities and storage could be in close proximity to the towns in Anuradhapura.
►iii) Seaweed culture according to present activities will be in the Mannar basin. Central processing and storage for seaweed could also be located at the same location as for freshwater plants. ► This will be favorable as the activities have much in common
Packaging for aquatic plants and products
A project will be developed to introduce appropriate packaging technology for aquatic plants based food industry.
The aims are:
Keep the product clean from dirt and contamination Protect from physical and chemical damage, insects and rodents Prevent losses Labeling for identification and correct usage.
Initially, bulk packaging will be developed for cold or dried aquatic plants. The materials to be selected are rigid foamed polyurethane boxes or woven stretched polypropylene bags or other appropriate material.
Presently, some seaweed is exported from Sri Lanka in the raw form after some cleaning and baling (pressed and strapped). This has rather low value.
Further processed products and value added products will need appropriate packaging or sophisticated packaging depending upon the product.
Aquatic Plants in Sea Water Objective of the Project
►Increase seaweed production sustainably and producing of carrageenan in Sri Lanka and thereby contributing to the realization of national objectives; enhanced export earnings, import substitution (Carageenan), creating gainful employments.
Expert’s Terms of Reference ► Ms. Maheeni Samarakoon
1. Assess the past and current status of culturing seaweeds and challenges faced by the industry
2. Identify constraints for development of aquatic ecosystem in coastal areas for culturing seaweeds
3. Propose development initiatives to address those constraints
4. Present a Hand Book on culturing seaweeds
5. Facilitate preparation of feasibility study by Financial Expert on Culturing Seaweeds Portfolio of Projects
► Ms. Maheeni Samarakoon
1. Propose Strategies for Enhancing On-farm Productivity In shallow marine waters of Mannar Aquaculture Mega Zone and suitable areas of the Northern and Eastern coast 2. Road map to Improve the Business Environment
3. Assessment of Social scenario, its impacts and proposed strategies on Kappaphycus sp. farming in Sri Lanka
4. Resource survey on naturally available edible seaweed species in Sri Lanka
Expert’s Terms of Reference
►Dr Nandanie Ediriweera
1.Undertake value chain analysis of aquatic plants
2. Assess the extent of value addition to aquatic plants for nutritious and healthy food
3. Identify constraints for further value addition to aquatic plants for domestic and export markets
4. Propose development initiatives to address those constraints
5. Develop a Food Safety Manual for processed foods made out of aquatic plants
Portfolio of Projects ►Dr. Nandani Ediriweera
1. Add value to lotus yam by eliminating sources of contamination of lotus yam with toxic trace elements
2. Add value to lotus yam
3. Add value to lotus seed
4. Add value to selected seaweed species
Expert’s Terms of Reference
►Mr U. H. Palihakkara -National Financial Consultant
1.Preparation of Budget of the Proposal
2. Undertake Feasibility Studies
3.Proposing commercialization scheme for Aquaponics U H Palihakkara National Financial Expert
• Preparation of Budget • Undertake Feasibility Studies • Proposing commercialization scheme for Aquaponics Overview of FS: Contents and Outline Executive Summary I. Introduction II. Project Strategic Context III. Technical Analysis IV. Institutional Assessment FEASIBILITY V. Marketing Assessment STUDY VI. Financial and Socio –Economic Analysis VII. Risk Analysis
VIII. Conclusions IX. Project Implementation Plan IX. Appendices Commercialisation
• Commercial aquaponics uses methods and equipment from both the hydroponics and aquaculture industries. Commercial producers sell plants and fish through a variety of direct and indirect markets. Direct markets include famers markets, farm stands, and community supported agriculture (CSA); indirect markets include grocery stores, restaurants,etc
• understanding the value chain is an important first step in successfully addressing market opportunities.
• Organizations should review their business model and look for areas of weakness or gaps in each section of the value chain to determine to what extent they should focus efforts in those areas
Value Chain Financing
• Financing constitutes one of the essential elements of the value chain in its supplying (offering), its quantity (demand) and its quality
• The financial need throughout the chain is diverse and varied. From production to packaging and commercialization, time is the key element. Timeliness in the financing of activities in a chain is obligatory; otherwise, strangulation occurs and prevents the proper functioning of the chain processes.
• Value chain financing is based on the products and financial flows that result therefrom, rather than on (or in addition to) traditional guarantee mechanisms
• the value chain financing structures may make it possible to reduce costs, to manage risks and to build trust, aspects that are fundamental not only for the value chain, but also for the bankers and financial institutions when they evaluate types of future profitable investments
Expert’s Terms of Reference
►Mr W. C. Dheerasekera
1. Formulate the Development Framework for Aquatic Plants-based Food Industry 2. Review the National Food Policy for implementation of the Development Framework referred to 3.Develop an Outline for Organic Food Policy, Policy Instruments and Institutional Framework to promote export of aquatic plants-based food industry 4. Develop a Project Proposal advocating introduction of EMPRETEC for delivery of agriculture/Aquaculture and entrepreneurship development services for the development food industries and formulate the Nomination Form for EMPRETEC to be submitted to UNCTAD
Links
Culturing Culturing Aquatic Plants Culturing Culturing Aquatic Plants in Wet Lands Aquatic Plants Aquatic Plants in Coastal and Man-made in Hydroponics in Aquapoinics Areas Reservoirs
Out put
Post Harvesting & Packaging Technology
Development Development developments
Value Addition
Down Stream Down Mid Stream stream Up Development • Coordinator’s Terms of Reference ►Ms Udula Sedera
1.Coordinate activities of Project Team
2.Facilitator & Mediator of work group
3.Assist to perform of the work group
4.Update data, information relevant to the thematic area
5.Coordinate field visits, workshops, seminars, working group meetings
6.Assist to perform the result base monitoring & evaluations
7.Assist in drafting & formulating of publications
THANK YOU !