INMED Harvest the Future International Symposium

O’Brian Clarke Jovan Johnson What is Aquaponics  Aquaponics is the integration of aquaculture (fish farming) and Hydroponics (the soilless growing of plants)

Source of Picture : The Aquaponic Source Advantages of Aquaponics  Double output from single main input  Fish feed  Water efficiency  As water is never discarded  Only lost to evapotranspiration and sludge removal  Climate change resilient  Drought resilient  Environmentally friendly production practices  Not dependent on arable land Taylor Hall Aquaponic Project History  The project was first conceptualized as an assignment  The idea was encouraged to be put into practice by the lecturer  The group was formed and a disused nursery house was selected to be renovated and transformed into the aquaponic system Development of the system

Chelated Iron Challenges in Developing the system  Funding  Lack of local knowledge on aquaponics or Recirculating Aquaculture (RAS)  First time building an aquaponic system  Some equipment not sold locally Challenges in developing the system cont’d Challenges in developing the system cont’d Challenges in Developing the system  Funding  Lack of (known) local expertise on aquaponics or Recirculating Aquaculture (RAS)  First time building an aquaponic system  Some equipment not sold locally Challenges in developing the system cont’d Challenges in developing the system cont’d Current status of the system  Currently down, undergoing refurbishing and upgrade  Initial design was based off the “Friendly Aquaponics Style” design.  Termites!!! Source : Living Aquaponics Upgraded system  Second fish tank  Two nursery tanks  Bigger swirl filter  Particulate filter/matala biosteps 10  MBBR- Moving Bed biofilm Reactor  Better plumbing Upgraded system cont’d Upgraded system cont’d Upgraded system cont’d Upgraded system cont’d

Source: University of the Virgin Islands Future Plans  Expand the initiative to a campus club/society  Mission: Expose tertiary students to commercial and sustainable agriculture.  “Green” Block Source: Almar Organoponico,Cuba Opportunities for Aquaponics in Jamaica  Production of high value crops  Access to higher value markets  Import substitution  Synthetic pesticide and fertilizer free  Can become organic certified  Value chain alignment/linkages with other sectors such as Tourism  Drought resilience  Greater guarantee of consistency on quality and quantity Opportunities for Aquaponics in Jamaica cont’d  Incorporation of alternative energy  Financing available for startup  Development Bank of Jamaica loans through their approved financial intermediaries (AFI)  Credit Enhancement Fund (CEF)  Research into alternative feed  Black Soldier Fly Larvae Aquaponics in other parts of the World- UVI Aquaponics in other parts of the World- Bustan Aquaponics, Egypt Aquaponics in other parts of the World- United States Aquaponics in other parts of the World- Unites Arab Emirates Thanks to sponsors  University of the West Indies, Taylor Hall  Isratech Group, Jamaica Drip Irrigation  Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Fisheries Management Fund  Central Greenhouse Supplies Contact Information  Henkel Valentine – Public Relations

 Jovan Johnson- Technical Lead

 Obrian Clarke –Operations Supervisor

 Email: [email protected]