For The Eastern-Southern Africa and India Ocean …This report was prepared by David Roberts (JDR...

Implementation of a Regional Fisheries StrategyFor The Eastern-Southern Africa and India Ocean Region

Programme pour la mise en oeuvre d'une stratégie de pêche pour laregion Afrique orientale-australe et Océan indien

THE FEASIBILITY OF AQUAPONICS IN MAURITIUS

SF/2012/33

JDR Resources Ltd.Nova Scotia, Canada

This report has been prepared with the technical assistance ofLe présent rapport a été réalisé par l'assistance technique de

August 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTSPREFACE............................................................................................................ 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS................................................................................... 6 ABBREVIATIONS................................................................................................ 7 LAYMAN’S SUMMARY........................................................................................ 8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY..................................................................................... 9 RESUME EXECUTIF........................................................................................... 9

1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................... 15 1.1 WHAT IS AQUAPONICS?........................................................... 15 1.2 WHY DO AQUAPONICS?........................................................... 16

1.2.1 Food Security/Water Conservation.................................. 15 1.2.2 Improved Yields............................................................... 16 1.2.3 Food Distribution.............................................................. 16

1.3 TYPES OF AQUAPONIC SYSTEMS.......................................... 16 1.3.1 Raft or Float System........................................................ 16 1.3.2 FloodandDrainSystem(Media-filledbed)...................... 17 1.3.3 NutrientFilmTechnique(NFT)......................................... 18 1.3.4 System Operating Process.............................................. 18

2.0 AQUACULTURE/AQUAPONICS IN AFRICA.......................................... 21 2.1 AQUACULTURE IN AFRICA....................................................... 21 2.2 HYDROPONICS IN AFRICA....................................................... 22 2.3 AQUAPONICS IN AFRICA.......................................................... 22

3.0 AQUACULTURE/HYDROPONICS/AQUAPONICS IN MAURITIUS....... 25 3.1 AQUACULTURE IN MAURITIUS................................................ 25 3.2 HYDROPONICS IN MAURITIUS................................................. 26 3.3 AQUAPONICS IN MAURITIUS................................................... 27 3.4 POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION OF AQUAPONICS...................... 28

4.0 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS.................................................................. 31 4.1 MARKETS IN MAURITIUS.......................................................... 31 4.2 PRODUCT PRICING................................................................... 33 4.3 AQUAPONIC PRODUCTION AND MARKETS IN OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES........................................................................................... 34

5.0 ECONOMICS OF AQUAPONICS........................................................... 37 5.1 CAPITAL COSTS:........................................................................ 37

5.1.1 Greenhouse..................................................................... 37 5.1.2 Fish tanks......................................................................... 37 5.1.3 Growing Beds.................................................................. 37 5.1.4 Plumbing.......................................................................... 38 5.1.5 Pumps.............................................................................. 38 5.1.6 Air blowers....................................................................... 38 5.1.7 Other capital items........................................................... 38 5.1.8 Contingency..................................................................... 38

5.2 OPERATING COSTS.................................................................. 38 5.2.1 HR Requirements............................................................ 38 5.2.2 Feed Requirements......................................................... 38

5.2.3 Power Requirements.................................................... 39 5.2.4 Seeds.............................................................................. 39 5.2.5 Fingerlings...................................................................... 39 5.2.6 Other items................................................................... 39 5.2.7 Contingency.................................................................... 39

5.3 REVENUE POTENTIAL........................................................... 39

6.0 NEXT STEPS....................................................................................... 41

ANNEX I – TERMS OF REFERENCE............................................................ 43 ANNEX 2 – CONTACTS.................................................................................. 48 ANNEX 3 – REFERENCES............................................................................. 51 ANNEX 4 – USEFUL WEB BASED INFORMATION....................................... 52 ANNEX 5 – FINANCIAL SUMMARY................................................................ 53 ANNEX 6 – DRAWINGS.................................................................................. 55

SmartFish Programme Report SF/2013/33 5

PREFACE

SmartFishisendeavouringtoimprovethesustainabilityoftraditionalartisanalfisheries,whilstenhancingthelivelihoodsoffishermenandtheeconomicsituationsofthecommunitiesassociatedwiththeresource.SmartFish isworkingwith traditional fisheries to investigate opportunities to alleviate fishingpressureswhileincreasingandimprovingfishingyieldsandmarkets.OverfishingisaproblemfacingmanycountriesoftheworldnotjustAfrica.Asaresultaquacultureofbothmarineandfreshwaterfishisgrowinginvolumein order tomeet demand for fishproducts. In 2012aquaculturewill provide 49%of theworld’s edibleseafood(FAO,2012).

SmartFish is also interested in exploring technologies and opportunities for Africa that are less well known but canholdpromiseforsustainablefishproduction.Inthiscontextaquaponicsoffersgreatpotentialtoprovidefoodsecurity through the localprovisionoffishandedibleplants fromanefficientandenvironmentallysustainable production model. It is believed that aquaponic systems are applicable technology to most if not all African countries and need to be examined from a commercial viewpoint.

Based on this premise a high level assessment has been undertaken to examine the potential for aquaponics as an economically viable model in an African country. This study examines the viability of aquaponics in Mauritius,anAfricanislandnation,whichcurrentlyimportsover70%ofitsfoodstuffs.Aquaponicshasbeenknown and trialed in several parts of the world but has failed to be commercialized at an appreciable scale. Aquaponics iscapableofproducingfish, fruitsandvegetables ina recirculationsystemthatconservesfreshwater resources. With many African nations facing food security issues as well as water shortages and draughtsthetimingofthistechnologyisappropriate.Inaddition,aquaponicsystemscantakemanyformsandaredirectlysaleableandthuscanfitanylevelofinvestment,beitforfamilyfoodsupplementationoras a standalone economic activity.

ThisreportwaspreparedbyDavidRoberts(JDRResourcesLtd.)andfocuseditsassessmentonMauritius.Mauritiushasafledglingbutgrowinghydroponicvegetableproductionindustrywhichaimstoincreaseitsproductiontoapproximately7-8%ofitsimportedfoodcroprequirements.Thereasonsforthedevelopmentofthehydroponicindustryarerelatedtothecountry’sshortageofwater,andpoorcropproduction.Thesefactors are shared by many countries throughout Africa. Aquaculture in Africa has been slow to develop and there are several factors including the fact that aquaculture is viewed separately from agriculture and mostoftheeffortshavebeenfocusedonagriculture.Aquacultureoffreshwaterfishisnowbeingdevelopedin several African countries in existing lakes and rivers. These resources have a natural carrying capacity whichwillultimatelylimittheexpansion.Bydevelopingaquaponics,expansionismuchlesslimitedandproduction houses are not as site dependent.

This report is thefirst step inassessing thepotential for sustainablefishand foodcropproductionviaaquaponics. The results of this report will identify the opportunity and application to African states. These results can then be communicated by SmartFish to the region and support pilot facilities and training in future stages of the Programme.

5.2.3 Power Requirements.................................................... 39 5.2.4 Seeds.............................................................................. 39 5.2.5 Fingerlings...................................................................... 39 5.2.6 Other items................................................................... 39 5.2.7 Contingency.................................................................... 39

5.3 REVENUE POTENTIAL........................................................... 39

6.0 NEXT STEPS....................................................................................... 41

ANNEX I – TERMS OF REFERENCE............................................................ 43 ANNEX 2 – CONTACTS.................................................................................. 48 ANNEX 3 – REFERENCES............................................................................. 51 ANNEX 4 – USEFUL WEB BASED INFORMATION....................................... 52 ANNEX 5 – FINANCIAL SUMMARY................................................................ 53 ANNEX 6 – DRAWINGS.................................................................................. 55

SmartFish Programme Report SF/2013/336

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe author would like to acknowledge those who were interviewed and contributed in supplying information usedinthisreport(SeeAnnex2).Thepersonsarelistedintheorderinwhichtheyweremetandinnowayreflecttheirlevelofcontribution.Allthoseinterviewedweremostsupportiveofthistechnologyandwerevery helpful and forthcoming with their information. Their contributions are greatly appreciated. Special acknowledgment is given to:

MehdiRahimbaccus,SatishHanoomanjee,JesseBrizmohun,S.Khadun,GansamBoodram,K.H. Nandee


ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ESA-IO Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Oceanm2 Square meterm3 Cubic meterRs Mauritian RupeeNFT Nutrient Film TechniqueFAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsJICA Japan International Cooperation AgencyRAS Recirculating Aquaculture SystemHa Hectarem Metert Metric tonneHp HorsepowerCfm Cubic Feet per MinuteKg KilogramkW-h Kilowatt-hourM Million


LAYMAN’S SUMMARYThis reportoutlines thefindings froman investigation into theviabilityof introducingaquaponicsasanalternativetechnologytosustainablyproducingfreshwaterfishaspartoftheSmartFishprogram-TechnicalAssistanceforImplementationofaregionalfisheriesstrategyforESA-IOregion.

Aquaponicsistheintegrationofhydroponicplantcultureinthelandbasedcultureoffish.Inanaquaponicsystemthefishsupplythenutrientstotheplants(intheformofnaturalwastes)andtheplantsformpartofthewatertreatmentsystem(byremovingthewastes)fromtherecirculatedfishwater.

Avarietyoffishandplantscanbeco-cultured inanaquaponicsystem. Thebenefitsofanaquaponicsystem include;• theuseverylittlenewwater,• higheryieldsoffishandplantsperunitareathantraditionalagriculture,• diseaseandinsectresistancetotheplants,• nouseoffertilizersorpesticidesand• systemsarescalabletomeettheneedsoftheproducer.

Mauritius(asmallislandcountry)importsthemajorityofitsfoodcropsduetorestrictionsonwateravailabilityand adverse climatic conditions. Hydroponic vegetable production has been established and is starting toexpand.Asafirststepamissionwasundertakentoevaluatetheviabilityof introducingaquaponicsin Mauritius. The assessment and application of this technology although focused on the economics of MauritiuswillhaveapplicationtomanyAfricancountriesintheregion,particularlythosewherefreshwaterfishareconsumed.


EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe term ‘aquaponics’ is a hybridization of aquaculture and hydroponics. As the name indicates aquaponics is the integration of these two activities. Fish culture and soilless plant culture are combined in an integrated and co-dependent system.

Inanaquaponicsystemtheprimaryinputisfishfeed.Wastesgeneratedbythefishserveasanorganicnutrient source for the plants. Water containing dissolved organics and organic solids are circulated through the plant growing beds/troughs wherein the nutrients are removed and the water returned for reuse to the fishtanks.

Figure 1: The Aquaponic Nutrient Cycle 1

Thebenefitsofaquaponicsaremanyincomparisontotraditionalaquacultureandhydroponiccultureandinclude;

• Reducewateruseovertraditionalhydroponicorfieldproductionofcrops.Itisestimatedthataquaponicsystemsuseonly5-10%ofthewaterrequiredforfieldproduction.

• Reducedland/spacerequirement.Aquaponicandhydroponicsystemsproducemuchhigheryieldsof

plantsperunitareathanfieldcrops. • Increasedyieldoverhydroponicproduction.Aquaponicallygrownplantsarehealthier,producemore

fruit,andgrowquickerthanhydroponicplants.Theresultisasignificantlyhigheryieldperunitareafrom aquaponic systems.

• Systemsareinfinitelyscalablefrom‘backyardsystems’whichcansupplementthefoodofonefamilyto

largecommercialsystemsthatcangenerateprofitsandsupplyfoodtoseveralcommunities.

• Noneedtouseinorganicfertilizers. • Cansupplybothproteinandproducefromthesamegrowingsystem. • Nowasteandnodischarge. • Nopesticidesorherbicidesusedorallowed. • Reductioninsoilbornediseases.Biologicalactivityofthesystemresultsinincreasedresistanceto

disease vectors and pests.


• Reductioninmonitoringrequirementsduetoanecologicallybalancedsystem.• Abilitytogrowfishandplantsinareaswithdraughtandpoorsoilquality. • Abilitytoprovidefoodsecurityforimpoverishedareas.Foodproductionyearround.

Withsomanybenefitswhyhasn’taquaponicsbeenfullydevelopedandadoptedinareaswhereitisneeded?Perhaps it is related to the economic viability or the skill sets required to operate both technologies.

This study examined the viability to integrate or adopt aquaponics into an existing hydroponic and aquaculture industry in Mauritius. It was determined that there was considerable interest in the technology but a lack of knowledge on how to establish and operate an operation. Marketing of the plant products did not seem to be an issue as demand from a growing tourism industry as well as increasing local population andshiftsinindigenousdietsallsupportedagrowingdemandforvegetables.Beinganisland,marinefishwerepreferredstronglyoverfreshwaterfish.Thus,themarketvalueandvolumeoffreshwaterfishsuchas tilapia was low.

Based on discussions with hydroponic growers a commercial greenhouse of 900m2 was selected as the basis for a typical design. A 900 m2 greenhouse would support 55 m3 offishculturevolumewhichwasseparated into 7 tanks of 7.8m3 each. In aquaponics there are two primary system designs in use namely floodanddrainsystemsandfloatsystems.Floodanddrainsystemsaresimplerindesignanduselessequipmentthanfloatsystems.Thusafloodanddraintypesystemwaschosenforthesampledesign.

The economics of constructing and operating a 900 m2greenhousefloodanddrainaquaponicsystemaresummarized in the following table;

Capital costs Rs3,316,005Annual operating costs Rs1,114,191Annual revenue - Fish Rs787,500Annual revenue - Tomatoes Rs2,250,000Total revenue Rs3,037,500*Net revenues Rs1,923,309

*Excludesborrowingcosts,andownercompensation

Figure 2: Financial Summary

The analysis showed that an aquaponic system as outlined was economically viable. The greenhouse structurewasalmost60%ofthecapitalcosts.Thus,asanadd-ontoanexistinghydroponicoperationtheeconomic return would be more attractive.

Financial analysis on this level of analysis is considered ‘hypothetical’ and should be used as a reason to ‘go’ or ‘no go’ with an investment. Each commercial investment will need to undertake its own detailed cost analysis prior to development. It should be noted that the results of this analysis supports the development ofapilot facility instrategiccountriesof theESA-IOregion. Thepilot facilitywouldundertake training,demonstrateproductionyieldsforthevariousplantsandfishofinterest,anddefineoperatingcosts.Itissuggested that a pilot facility needs to be large enough to demonstrate operating costs at a commercial scale. It is suggested that the plant production needs to be a minimum of 500 m2. The pilot facility could alsodemonstratebothfloodanddrainaswellasfloatsystems.


RAPPORT SOMMAIRELeterme«aquaponie»estunehybridationdel’aquacultureetdel’hydroponie.Commel’indiquesonnom,l’aquaponie est l’intégration de ces deux activités. La pisciculture et la culture de végétaux hors sol sont combinées dans un système intégré et interdépendant.

Dansunsystèmeaquaponique,lesalimentspourpoissonssontl’élémentprincipal.Lesdéchetsproduitspar les poissons constituent une source nutritive organique pour les plantes. L’eau contenant des matières organiques dissoutes et des solides organiques circule dans l’installation de lits / bacs de culture de plantes dans lesquels les éléments nutritifs sont éliminés et l’eau est ramenée dans les aquariums pour être réutilisée.

Graphique 1 : Le Cycle nutritif aquaponique 2

L’aquaponie a de nombreux avantages par rapport à l’aquaculture traditionnelle et l’hydroponie :

• Uneconsommationd’eauréduiteparrapportàlaproductionhydroponiquetraditionnelleoulacultureenpleinchamp.Onestimequelessystèmesaquaponiquesn’utilisentque5à10%del’eaunécessaireà la culture en plein champ.

• Moins d’espace terrestre requis. Les systèmes aquaponiques et hydroponiques produisent desrendements beaucoup plus élevés de plantes par unité de surface que les cultures en plein champ.

• Unrendementaccruparrapportàlaproductionhydroponique.Lesplantescultivéesenaquaponiesontenmeilleuresanté,produisentplusdefruitsetpoussentplusvitequelesplanteshydroponiques.Lerésultat est un rendement sensiblement plus élevé par unité de surface des systèmes aquaponiques.

• Les systèmes sont adaptables demanière illimitée, allant des « systèmesdeproduction d’arrière-cour»quipeuventalimenterunefamille,auxgrandssystèmescommerciauxquipeuventgénérerdesprofitsetapprovisionnerplusieurscommunautés.

• Pasbesoind’utiliserdesengraisinorganiques.

• Peutfourniràlafoisdesprotéinesetdesproduitsàpartirdumêmesystèmedeculture.

• Nigaspillagenidéversement.

• Nipesticidesniherbicidesutilisésouautorisés.


• Réduction desmaladies transmises par le sol. L’activité biologique du système se traduit par unerésistance accrue aux vecteurs de maladies et aux ravageurs.

• Réductiondesmesuresdesurveillanceenraisond’unsystèmeécologiquementéquilibré.

• Capacitéàéleverdespoissonsetcultiverdesplantesdansleszonesaffectéesparlasècheresseetlamauvaise qualité du sol.

• Capacitéàassurerlasécuritéalimentairedansleszonesdéfavorisées.Productionalimentairependantl’année entière.

Avecautantd’avantages,pourquoil’aquaponien’a-t-ellepasétéentièrementdéveloppéeetadoptéedansles zones qui en ont besoin ? Les raisons ont peut-être trait à la viabilité économique ou l’ensemble des compétences nécessaires pour faire fonctionner les deux technologies.

Cette étude a examiné la viabilité d’intégrer ou d’adopter l’aquaponie dans une industrie hydroponique ou aquacole existante à Maurice. L’on estime qu’il y avait un intérêt considérable dans la technologie mais un manque de connaissances sur la façon d’établir et de gérer une exploitation. La commercialisation des produits végétaux ne semblait pas être un problème car la demande d’une industrie touristique en plein essor ainsi que l’augmentation de la population locale et les changements dans les régimes alimentaires desautochtonesonttouscontribuéàfaireaugmenterlademandepourleslégumes.Entantqu’insulaires,ces derniers préféraient de loin le poissonmarin au poisson d’eau douce. Par conséquent, la valeurmarchande et le volume des poissons d’eau douce tels que le tilapia étaient faibles.

À lasuitedediscussionsavec lesproducteurshydroponiques,uneserrecommercialede900m²aétéchoisie pour servir de base à une conception type.Une serre de 900m² soutiendrait 55m³ de volumed’élevagedepoisson,divisésenseptréservoirsde7,8m³chacun.Enaquaponie,deuxprincipauxconceptsdesystèmessontutilisés,àsavoir,lesystèmeinondation-drainageetlaculturesurflotteurs.Lesystèmeinondation-drainageestplussimpleàconcevoiretutilisemoinsdematérielque laculturesurflotteurs.Ainsi,lesystèmeinondation-drainageaétéchoisipourlaconceptiontype.Les aspects économiques entourant la construction et l’exploitation d’une serre de 900m² utilisant lesystème aquaponique inondation-drainage sont résumés dans le tableau ci-dessous :

Frais d’investissement Rs 3 316 005Coûts d'exploitation annuels Rs1,114,191Revenus annuels - Poisson Rs 787 500Revenus annuels - Tomates Rs 2 250 000Recettes totales Rs 3 037 500*Revenus nets Rs 1 923 309

* Coûts d’emprunt et compensation des propriétaires exclus

Graphique 2 : Résumé financier

L’analysemontrequ’unsystèmeaquaponique,commel’indiquelegraphique,estéconomiquementviable.Lastructuredelaserrereprésenteprèsde60%descoûtsd’investissement.Ainsi,àtitred’ajoutàuneexploitationhydroponiqueexistante,lerendementéconomiqueseraitplusattrayant.

L’analysefinancièreàceniveaud’analyseestconsidéréecomme«hypothétique»etdoitêtreutiliséecomme une raison pour continuer ou renoncer à un investissement. Chaque investissement commercial devra procéder à sa propre analyse détaillée des coûts avant le développement. Il convient de noter que les résultats de cette analyse appuient la mise au point d’une installation pilote dans des pays stratégiques de la régiondel’AfOA-OI.L’installationpiloteentreprendraitdesactionsdeformation,afficheraitlesrendementsdeproductionpour lesdivers cultureset poissonsexploités, et définirait les coûtsd’exploitation. Il est


suggéré qu’une installation pilote doit être assez grande pour démontrer les coûts d’exploitation à l’échelle commerciale.Ilestsuggéréquelaproductionvégétaledoitêtrede500m²auminimum.L’installationpilotepourraitégalementdémontreràlafoislesystèmeinondation-drainageetlaculturesurflotteurs.


1

Introduction

15SmartFish Programme Report SF/2012/33

1.1 What is Aquaponics

The term ‘aquaponics’ is a hybridization of aquaculture and hydroponics. As the name indicates aquaponics is the integration of these two activities. Fish culture and soilless plant culture are combined in an integrated and co-dependent system.Inaquacultureproductionsmallfisharefedandthewastesgeneratedbythefishareremoved through biological and/or mechanical treatment systems or simply by dilution with new water. Hydroponic plant culture involves the growing of mostly edible plants in an inert media without soil and providing a solution of inorganic nutrients for plant growth.

Inanaquaponicsystemtheprimaryinputisfishfeed.Wastesgeneratedbythefishserveasan organic nutrient source for the plants. Water containing dissolved organics and organic solids are circulated through the plant growing beds/troughs wherein the nutrients are removed and thewaterreturnedforreusetothefishtanks.Theplantsystemalsoservesasabiofiltertotransformharmfulformsofnitrogenwaste(ammonia)intobenignformsofnitrogen(nitrate)whichareavailable to the plants for uptake. An aquaponic system is the only aquaculture system that has a filtration/watertreatmentsystemthatcangeneraterevenue.Similarly,aquaponicsystemsaretheonly hydroponic plant culture system that has a nutrient supply system that can generate revenue.

Aquaponic systems are also ‘closed’ systems with100%ofthewaterinthesystemrecirculatedand reused. In an aquaponic system there is no discharge. Thus aquaponic systems have been demonstratedtobehighlyefficientfoodproductionsystems with respect to water usage. Aquaponic systems can be built around both freshwater and marine systems but the majority of aquaponic

systems are based on freshwater systems due to the preference for freshwater plants and vegetables.

Benefits of aquaponics

Thebenefitsaremanyincomparisontotraditionalaquaculture and hydroponic culture and include;

• Reducewateruseovertraditionalhydroponicorfieldproductionofcrops.Itisestimatedthataquaponicsystemsuseonly5-10%ofthewaterrequiredforfieldproduction.

• Reducedland/spacerequirement.Aquaponicand hydroponic systems produce much higher yieldsofplantsperunitareathanfieldcrops.

• Increasedyieldoverhydroponicproduction.

Aquaponicallygrownplantsarehealthier,producemorefruit,andgrowquickerthanhydroponicplants.Theresultisasignificantlyhigher yield per unit area from aquaponic systems.

• Systemsareinfinitelyscalablefrom‘backyard

systems’ which can supplement the food to one family to large commercial systems that cangenerateprofitsandsupplyfoodtoseveralcommunities.

• Noneedtouseinorganicfertilizers. • Cansupplybothproteinandproducefromthe

same growing system. • Nowasteandnodischarge. • Nopesticidesorherbicidesusedorallowed.

• Reductioninsoilbornediseases.Biologicalactivity of the system results in increased resistance to disease vectors and pests.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

16 SmartFish Programme Report SF/2012/33

• Reductioninmonitoringrequirementsduetoecologically balanced system.

• Abilitygrowfishandplantsinareaswithdraught and poor soil quality.

• Abilitytoprovidefoodsecurityforimpoverishedareas. Food production year round.

1.2 Why do aquaponics?

1.2.1 Food Security/Water ConservationAquaponics is an excellent tool in producing protein and foods for personal consumption (foodsecurity)and/orforsaletoothers(wealthgeneration).Allcountriesoftheworldarenowtaking note of food security issues. Food security is largely linked to freshwater availability. Many African countries and especially Island countries are being faced with water shortages as well as food shortfalls either from drought or high demand relative to supply. Food production systems that are‘waterefficient’suchasaquaponicshaveahuge potential to contribute to food production shortfalls whilst conserving natural resources.

1.2.2 Improved YieldsSeveral studies have been conducted that show that plants grown in an aquaponic nutrient solution compared to that of a hydroponic nutrient solution grow more quickly and have a higher yield of edible plant tissue or fruit. When an aquaponic system isfirststartedittakesuptosixmonthsbeforeallof the bacterial fauna is well established and in balance. Thus growth and yields during this period are measurably less than hydroponic systems but following this ‘start up’ period increased yields of 15%ormorecanbeachieved.

1.2.3 Food DistributionInaddition,sinceaquaponicsinvolvesrecirculationtechnology it can be site independent and thus can be established in almost any environment and location. This allows for competitive advantages in that the production of food can be located in close proximity to markets reducing distribution costs and a lowering the carbon footprint.

1.3 Types of aquaponic systems

Aquaponic systems have evolved from the hydroponicindustryandassucharereflectiveof the means by which hydroponic plants are cultured.Inallcasesfishareheld/grownintanks/raceways.Nutrientrichwaterfromthefishtanksmust then be provided to the roots of the plants. Thesystemsdifferinthewaythatfishwastesolidsare handled prior to delivery to the plants. Three main types of plant culture are used in aquaponics namelyraft(flood)system,floodanddrainsystem,andnutrientfilmtechniquesystem(NFT).

1.3.1 Raft or Float System Inaraftsystem(alsoknownasfloat,deepchannelanddeepflow)theplantsaregrownonStyrofoamboards(rafts)thatfloatontopofwater.Mostoften,thisisinatankseparatefromthefishtank.Waterflowscontinuouslyfromthefishtank,throughfiltrationcomponents,throughtherafttankwheretheplantsaregrownandthenbacktothefishtank.

Figure 3: Aquaponic vs. Hydroponic Plant Yield (Savidov, 2004)

Figure 4: Comparison of cucumbers: plants on the left were grown in aquaponics and the plants on the right were grown in hydroponics.

Introduction


Thebeneficialbacterialiveintherafttankandthroughoutthefiltrationcomponents.Theextravolume of water in the raft tank provides a buffer forthefish,reducingstressandpotentialwaterquality problems. This is one of the greatest benefitsoftheraftsystem.Inaddition,theUniversity of the Virgin Islands and other research programshaveworkedtodevelopandrefinethismethod for over 25 years. The raft system is a well developed method with very high production per unit area. In a raft system the waste solids must be removed prior to being used in the plant channels to avoid clogging of the roots. Solids are removed mechanically(settlingclarifiersandmechanicalfiltration).Inaddition,thistypeofsystemalsoinvolvestheuseofabiofiltertoassistintheconversionofammoniatonitratepriortofloodingof the raft system. As the roots are continuously submerged in the nutrient solution it is necessary oprovideoxygentothefloodedchannel.

Figure 5: Aquaponic plant production in a ‘raft or float system’.

Inacommercialsystem,therafttankscancoverlargeareas,bestutilizingthefloorspaceinagreenhouse. Plant seedlings are transplanted on to one end of the raft tank. The rafts are pushed forward on the surface of the water over time and then the mature plants are harvested at the other endoftheraft.Oncearaftisharvested,itcanbereplanted with seedlings and set into place on the oppositeend.Thismethodoptimizesfloorspace,which is especially important in a commercial greenhouse setting.

1.3.2 FloodandDrainSystem(Media-filled bed) Afloodanddrain(media-filledbed)systemusesatankorcontainerthatisfilledwithgravel,perliteor other media for the plant bed. This bed is periodicallyfloodedwithwaterfromthefishtank.Thewaterthendrainsbacktothefishtank.Allwaste,includingthesolids,isbrokendownwithinthe plant bed. Sometimes worms are added to the gravel-filledplantbedtoenhancethebreak-downof the waste. As the media bed drains it exposes theplantrootstoair(oxygen)andthusthereisno need for supplemental oxygen supply as with the raft system. This method uses the fewest componentsandnoadditionalfiltration,makingitsimple to construct and operate. The production is,however,lowerthanthetwoothermethodsdescribed here.

Figure 7: Flood and Drain System

Figure 6: Tilapia/lettuce float system in US Virgin Islands

(Rockey, 2004)


1.3.4 System Operating ProcessThe key to a successful aquaponic system is the beneficialbacteriawhichconvertthefishwastesinto nutrients that the plants use. A key feature ofaquaponictechnologyisthatitre-useswater,which is re-circulated continuously throughout the system. All of the tanks and various aquaponic componentsareconnectedbypipes.Waterflowsfromthefishtanktothemechanicalfilterwheresolidwasteisremoved.Thewaterthenflowsintoabio-logicalfilterthatconvertsammoniatonitrate.Some systems use special tanks that are designed to promote good bacteria growth—the bacteria act asafilter.Afterbeing“treated”inthemechanicalandbiofiltrationcomponents,thewaterflowsbacktothefishtank.

Morethan50%ofthewasteproducedbyfishisintheformofammonia,secretedthroughthe gills and in the urine. The remainder of the waste,excretedasfecalmatter,undergoesa process called mineralization which occurs whenheterotrophicbacteriaconsumefishwaste,decayingplantmatteranduneatenfood,convertingallthreetoammonia&othercompounds.Insufficientquantities,ammoniais

Figure 9: NFT hydroponic lettuce production (Mauritius)

1.3.3 Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) NFT is a method in which the plants are grown inlongnarrowchannels.Athinfilmofwatercontinuouslyflowsdowneachchannel,providingtheplantrootswithwater,nutrientsandoxygen.Aswiththeraftsystem,waterflowscontinuouslyfromthefishtank,throughfiltrationcomponents(clarifier,biofilter),throughtheNFTchannelswheretheplantsaregrownandthenbacktothefishtank.InNFTsystems,aseparatebiofilterisrequired,as there is not a large amount of water or surface forthebeneficialbacteriatolive.Inaddition,thediameter of pipes and irrigation hoses

used in a hydroponic NFT system are usually not large enough to be used in Aquaponics because the organic nature of the system and ‘living’ water will cause clogging of small pipes and tubes. NFT Aquaponicsshowspotentialbut,istraditionallyused for leafy plant production such as lettuce and herbs.

Figure 8: Tilapia based flood and drain

gravel bed system – Canada(Roberts, 2003).

Introduction


toxictoplantsandfish.Nitrifyingbacteria,whichnaturallyliveinthesoil,waterandair,convertammoniafirsttonitriteandthentonitratewhichplantsconsume.Inaquaponicsystems,thenitrifying bacteria will thrive in the gravel in the growing medium in the grow bed. The plants readilyuptakethenitrateinthewaterand,inconsumingit,helptokeepthewaterqualitysafeforthefish.

Briefly,someoftheimportantfactorstobeconsidered for building and operating an aquaponic system are: • Water quality and waste management • Dissolved oxygen • Temperature • pH and alkalinity • Wasteremoval:Ammonia,Nitrites,Nitrates,

solid and suspended waste • Carbon dioxide

Figure 10: Layout of aquaponic float system.

Need for a greenhouse

Thetypeofgreenhouseandthespecificenvironmentalcontrolequipmentcanvarywidely,depending on the particular climatic conditions. Inmanyclimates,agreenhouseisparticularlybeneficialtoprotectthecropsfromrain,windandinsects.However,wherestormsareinfrequentorless severe a greenhouse is not always required. Aquaponic operations in the Caribbean and Hawaii often use a mixture of covered and exposed plant culture. Fish tank components are usually covered to prevent algal growth in the tanks.


2

Aquaculture/Aquaponics in Africa


2.1 Aquaculture in Africa

Of the 126 million tonnes available for human consumptionin2009,fishconsumptionwaslowestinAfrica(9.1milliontonnes,with9.1kgpercapita).Africacontinuestobeslowindevelopingaquaculture. Africa has increased its contribution to global production from 1.2 percent to 2.2 percentinthepasttenyears,mainlyasaresultofrapiddevelopmentinfreshwaterfishfarminginsub-Saharan Africa.

The share of freshwater aquaculture in the region fell from 55.2 percent to 21.8 percent in the1990s,largelyreflectingthestronggrowthinbrackish-watercultureinEgypt,butitrecoveredinthe2000s,reaching39.5percentin2010asaresultofrapiddevelopmentinfreshwaterfishfarminginsub-SaharanAfrica,mostnotablyinNigeria,Uganda,Zambia,GhanaandKenya.African aquaculture production is overwhelmingly dominatedbyfinfishes(99.3percentbyvolume),with only a small fraction from marine shrimps (0.5 percent)andmarinemolluscs(0.2percent)(FAO,2012).

Figure 11: Freshwater fish culture in

earthen ponds (Kenya).

Country Tonnes )%( PercentageEgypt 919,585 71.38Nigeria 200,535 15.57Uganda 95,000 7.37Kenya 12154 0.94Zambia 10290 0.80Ghana 10,200 0.79Madagascar 6,886 0.53Tunisia 5,424 0.42Malawi 3,163 0.25South Africa 3,133 0.24Other 21,950 1.70Total 1,288,320 100

Figure 12: Top 10 producers in Africa 2010 (FAO 2012)

2 AQUACULTURE/ AQUAPONICS IN AFRICA


Therearecommercialfarmsusingcage,racewayandrecirculatingsystems,butpondsaretheprincipal production unit. Marine shrimp culture is concentratedinMadagascar,althoughthereareafewfarmsinSeychelles,KenyaandMozambique,as well as plans to begin raising shrimp in Gabon and Nigeria. Due to the need to avoid issues of disease marine shrimp growers are looking at production in isolated nations such as Mauritius. Mollusc culture is limited to Namibia and South Africa,wherethelatterhasregionallysignificantproductionofmusselsandoysters,aswellasthe beginnings of an abalone industry. Seaweed cultureislimitedtoSouthAfrica,NamibiaandTanzania.(FAO,2005).Thefollowingcolorcodedmap shows general categorization of Africa with respect to suitability for inland aquaculture. With a closed aquaponic system all areas that have access to ‘some’ freshwater can be considered ‘very suitable’ for aquaculture development.

2.2 Hydroponics in Africa

Hydroponics in Africa is being practiced in many African countries but due to the relatively large capital costs for startup as well as requirement for training the uptake is slow. Rainfall and food shortages will increase the demand for water/landefficientmeanstoproducefood.Thus,theintegrationoffish(protein)andproduce(vegetable)productioncouldhavesignificantimpacts in many regions throughout Africa.

Figure 13: GIS assessment of potential for small-scale/artisanal aquaculture (Brummett et al, 2008)

One of the reasons for lack of development according to the European Commission for Africa(2009)isrelatedtotheappropriatenessof the technology. As aquaculture technologies didnotexistinthetraditionalsetting,thesehadto be introduced. Unfortunately many of these introduced technologies were inappropriate and unsuitedtotheneedsoftheintendedbeneficiaries.There was lack of appreciation for the prevailing social,culturalandeconomicfactors,aswellasa lack of understanding of important supply and demandconsiderations,includingcompetitionformostproductioninputs.Additionally,fish-farmingdevelopment was not seen in the context of rural development,andaquaculturewasconsideredasa separate entity from agriculture. More often than not,theexternaltechnicalassistanceprevalentpromoted technologies they felt to be the most appropriate,asopposedtothosemostusefultowould-be producers. Weaknesses in this top-down approachbecameapparent,assustainabilitywaslacking,andanewemphasiswasplacedonparticipation and understanding the human factors of technology adoption.These lessons are important to keep in mind when assessing and introducing new technologies such as aquaponics to communities.

Foodproductionwillremainanoverridingpriority,andintensificationaswellasdiversificationinfoodproduction will constitute important approaches to development.

2.3 Aquaponics in Africa

Aquaponics in Africa is only in its infancy. Production stats on aquaponic operations are non-existent due to so few systems. The systems that are known to exist are generally small scale backyard systems and those designed to feed several families. Companies promoting aquaponics are active in Africa so there is an expectation that these systems will become more prominent over time. African countries where aquaponicsisknowntoexistinclude;SouthAfrica,Botswana,Malawi,Kenya,Zambia,andRwanda.Many of the initiatives are those by groups concerned about alleviating local poverty and nutritionaldeficiencies.Aswithmostdevelopmentprimary human needs related to health and survival will be the dominant driving force with socialbenefitsfollowing.

An example of a recent aquaponics development

Aquaculture/Aquaponics in Africa


in Africa is the Portable Farms system being established in Botswana.

“May 9, 2012 - Organic Aquaponic’s System Licensed in Botswana, Africa - Portable Farms Ltd announces the licensing and construction of the first commercial Portable Farms™ Aquaponics System in Africa. “

TheBotswanaLicenseHolder,recentlycompletedthelargestfishhatcheryinSouthernAfrica.Thebenefitsofthesystemincludelowmonitoringandcleaningrequirements,operationbysemi-skilledlabour,andafocusonsustainability.

The initial crops chosen by the license holder

Figure 14: 10,000 sq ft Portable Farms(TM) Aquaponics System in Botswana, Africa

basedonlocaldemandaretomatoes,lettuce,cucumbersandherbs.The10,000sqft(1,000m2)PortableFarmscurrentlybeingcompletedinBotswanawillproduce60,000vegetablesand21,000pounds(9,000kg)oftilapiafish,peryeartobe sold locally.

TheBotswanaprojectincludesavisitor’scenter,three10,000sqftPortableFarms™AquaponicsSystemunits,afishprocessingcenter,afarmersmarket,andupgradedutilitiesforthearea.


3

Aquaculture/Hydroponics/Aquaponics in Mauritius


3.1 Aquaculture in Mauritius

Aquaculture practices in Mauritius date back to the French colonization period. Fingerlings of multiple speciesofmarinefisheswerecollectedfromthelagoon and stocked in ‘barachois’ for fattening. Such type of farming is still practiced. Species suchascouscous,tilapias,damecéré,blackbass and gouramier were introduced in the early twenties.

Acamaron(freshwaterprawn)broodstockwasintroduced in 1972 from Hawaii. The green water and the clear water rearing techniques were acquired and the technology was transferred to the private sector for commercial production. Hatchery production and grow-out were completely takenoverbytheprivatesector.However,in2002 the private sector had to abandon the business because of high costs and water scarcity. The Government hatchery took over to ensure production of juveniles to support medium and small scale farmers around the island.

Inlate1975,threespeciesofChinesecarpsandthree species of Indian carps were introduced for freshwater aquaculture. Induced spawning using hormoneinjectionresultedintheproductionoffishfry for polyculture with camaron. The culture was undertaken on a commercial basis by the private sector for producing carps and camaron for sale. However,asconsumerdemandforcarpswasnothigh the culture was discontinued.

In1990,theredtilapiahybridwasintroducedfromMalaysia.Monosexfishisproducedthroughsexreversal treatment for culture yielding quality seeds with high growth and good survival rates. The culture techniques were adopted by the private sectorandsimilarlyasforthefreshwaterprawns,production ceased in 2002. The production of fingerlingsbytheMinistrywascontinuedatthe

LaFermeFishFarmforthebenefitofsmallaquaculturistsandfingerlingswereinitiallydistributedfreeofchargetoencouragefishfarming.

Thecultureofthefreshwatercrayfishintroducedfrom Australia by the private sector in 1996 was discontinued due to a low consumer demand.Presently the facilities of La Ferme have been leased to a private sector farming operation whichhasgrowntilapia(Oreochromisspp.)andfreshwaterprawn(Macrobrachiumrosenbergii).

Duringthefirstyearofoperationapproximately75metric tonnes of berry rouge tilapia were produced andsold.Duetohighleasecosts,watercosts,and low consumer demand for freshwater products theoperationhasstruggledtoturnaprofit.Unitcosts of producing freshwater prawn and a higher demand than tilapia will see the farm shift production to prawn culture entirely to increase revenues. This farm is the only commercial freshwater operation known in Mauritius.

Figure 15: Tilapia hatchery/nursery at La

Ferme (Mauritius)

3 AQUACULTURE/ HYDROPHONICS/ AQUAPONICS IN MAURITIUS


Marine Aquaculture

In 1989 sea bream culture was initiated in collaboration with the Japanese International CooperationAgency(JICA)fortheproductionofseed for trial culture in barachois. Seed production techniques were mastered. Fingerlings were regularly released in the coastal waters for stock enhancement.

In1987,thecultureoftwospeciesofmarineshrimps was undertaken with the assistance of JICA. The technology transfer to the private sector did not materialize due to high capital investment and unavailability of rearing space inthecoastalareas.However,theGovernmenthatchery continued production of shrimp juveniles to be stocked in barachois and to be released in the lagoon for stock enhancement. With a view to encouragecultureofshrimpsbyinlandfarmers,trials have been conducted at the Albion Fisheries Research Centre recently to acclimatize the marine shrimps for on- growing in fresh water. Results have not been encouraging. Seed production of crab was also undertaken with assistance from JICA with no convincing results for mass culture.

Floating cage culture was introduced only recently in2002.Reddrum,seabreamandrabbitfishwerecultured by a private farmer in the deep channel in the lagoon of the south east coast of Mauritius with promising results.

A few barachois are involved in the culture of oyster,crabs,andmarinefishfromthewildandsaltwateracclimatizedberrirouge.Moreover,to

enhancethefishstockofthelagoon,fingerlingsofthe sea bream and juveniles of the marine shrimp are regularly released in the lagoon.

Most recently sea cage culture of Sea bream is being practiced on an experimental scale. There are also plans to investigate the land based culture of crabs in a RAS (recirculated aquaculture system).

It can generally be said that freshwater aquaculture has been impaired in its development due to a weakmarketforfreshwaterfishcomparedtothatofmarinefish.

3.2 Hydroponics in Mauritius

Presently,mostofthefoodcropsproducedinMauritius are obtained through the traditional open-fieldcultivation,butduetoproblemslikeinfestationofpestsanddiseases,unfavourableweatherconditionslinkedtoclimatechange,shortageoflabourandhighcostofproduction,manygrowersaregraduallyshiftingfromtraditionalopen-fieldcultivation to hydroponics production.

Commercial hydroponics started in Mauritius around the year 2000. Incentives were given in the form of soft loans by the Government of Mauritius to encourage the industry start up. According to the Strategic Options for Crop and Livestock 2007-2015,therewere6hydroponicpromotersinMauritiusin1999,whowereinvolvedin25hydroponics units. Over the years this number has increased considerably to 179 promoters in 2006 that were producing crops under hydroponics in 301 units. Presently in 2012 there were approximately350producerswith180,000m2 under cultivation.

Figure 17: Hydroponic greenhouses in Balaclava, Mauritius.

Figure 16: Tilapia pond and unused greenhouse in

La Ferme (Mauritius)

Aquaculture/Hydroponics/Aquaponics in Mauritius


Thebulkofthegrowers(90%)areusingsubstratei.e. cocopeat or some media to grow their crops. Theremainder(10%)isNFTprimarilyforlettuceproduction.Greenhouse sizes under single ownership run from 200 m2 to 8-9000 m2. The industry average is approximately 500 m2.

Theindustryproducesonlyfiveprimaryproductsnamely;• Tomatoes(severalvarieties)• English cucumbers • Sweet peppers • Lettuce • Melon

Figure 18: Young hydroponic cucumber plants in Cluny, Mauritius.

Figure 19: Hydroponic tomato plants in Cluny, Mauritius.

Due to water shortages in Mauritius the greenhousegrowersgetabout50%oftheirwaterfromboreholesand50%fromcollectedrainwater.Current practice among the industry is to use theinorganicfertilizersolutioninaflowthroughmanner with no reclaim or recirculation of solution.

This is done to keep the nutrient solution mixing simpleforstaff.However,thisaddscostinadditional fertilizers and water usage and results in having to discharge nutrient solution to the surrounding environment.

3.3 Aquaponics in Mauritius

There is no aquaponic production in Mauritius at present.However,inspeakingwiththoseinvolvedin the industry they are interested in learning moreaboutthebenefitsofaquaponics.Manyof the growers were interested in a Government sponsored pilot aquaponic project but also in attempting a small scale trials unit themselves. Thegrowerscouldreadilyseethebenefitsofrecycledwater,eliminationofinorganicfertilizersand higher plant yields to their existing operations. GrowersadmittedthatthetraditionalfishspeciesoftilapiawouldbeadifficultsellintheMauritianmarketplace.

In introducing aquaponics to Mauritius it is prudent to keep the systems as simple as possible and to keep the plant production component similar to the existing plant production systems so that existing infrastructure can be utilized. Under this scenarioafloodanddrainaquaponicsystemwould be the most appropriate. Fish tanks (say tilapiaorfreshwaterprawn)wouldbeanadded

Figure 20: Spent nutrient solution runoff.


component and could be placed outside (under shade)adjacenttothegreenhouses.Currently,the majority of vegetables grown in hydroponic greenhouses are grown in media on the ground and supplied nutrients from ground level piping. Thus,inordertokeepgrowingpracticessimilarandtominimizepumpingrequirementsthefishtank(s)wouldbepartiallyburiedintheground.Byplacing the tanks in the ground the water from the plant culture beds would drain by gravity back to thefishtanks.Also,thegroundservestoservesto insulate the tanks and act as a heat sink/source andhelptostabilizetemperaturesofthefishtankwater. Plants would be grown in ‘grow beds’ whichwouldberectangularshallowboxesfilledwith growing media (most likely gravel or small stone)toadepthof300mm.Thiswouldallowsimilar growing height in the greenhouses to be maintained.

3.4 Potential Contribution of Aquaponics

The introduction of aquaponics to existing Mauritian hydroponic growers would require theadditionoffishtanks,growingbeds,andassociated plumbing and controls. The only requiredinputtothefarmisfishfeedandwaterpHadjustment buffers. These costs would be offset by reduction in fertilizers and water and additional revenuesfromfish/prawnsalesandadditionalproduce. In aquaponic systems the majority of the revenues come from the plant production. Generally rules of thumb for design of aquaponic floodanddrainsystemsare2:1mediavolumetofishtankvolumeandroughly7:1growingareatofishtankvolume.

Water requirements for existing hydroponic growers range from 1.5 L/ m2/day in the cooler months to 4.0 L/ m2/day in the warmer months (Rahimbaccus,pers.comm).Usinganaverageof 2.25 L/ m2/day for a 900 m2 greenhouse would meanthat2,025L/dayorapproximately60m3/month would be required. A greenhouse of 900 m2 would support an aquaponic system with a water volume of 50 m3. Water requirements for aquaponicsystemsareestimatedat1.5%perday(Rockey,2007).Thiscalculatesto750L/dayorapproximately 22 m3/month. This is greater than 60%reductioninwaterusage.

Aquaponics also allows for the complete utilization of nutrients from the system and there is no need

for discharge to the surrounding environment. Thus,thecurrentpracticesofflowthroughuseofinorganic nutrients will no longer be practiced.

Although there are subtle differences in hydroponic practices generally hydroponic systems are very similar to that observed in Mauritius. If a grower is using a NFT or raft system or substrate such as cocopeat to culture plants then the aquaponic system must include solids removal andbiofiltrationcomponentsbeforethenutrientsolution can be offered to the plants. This is required to avoid solids being trapped by the roots oftheplants,andrestrictingoxygenavailability.Inaddition,NFTandraftsystemsdonothavesufficientsurfaceareatosupporttherequiredlevelofbiofiltration.ThedeliveryhosesusedintheNFTand substrate hydroponic culture are generally too small in diameter to use in aquaponics as the organic solution will quickly foul and plug the hose. Thus,largerdiameterdeliveryhoseswouldberequired.

Hydroponic growers using substrate for plant culture usually have the substrate directly on thefloorofthegreenhouseandletthenutrientsolutionleachouttothegroundandflowviaagraded trough out of the greenhouse to a collection ditch. This type of collection system would not be suitable as a recovery system for aquaponics as it opensthesystemtocontaminationfromorganics,etc…fromthegreenhousefloor.Cocopeathas been used in aquaponic systems but it did result in a dark coloration of the water. It would be the recommendation of the author that those usingsubstratemediaconverttousingafloodand drain system. This would involve building media beds and associated piping but would not requireadditionalsolidsremovalorbiofiltrationcomponents.


4

Products and Markets


4.1 Markets in Mauritius

Aquaponic systems are capable of producing a wide range of leafy and fruiting plants including but not limited to;

any leafy lettuce pak choi spinach arugula basil rosemarythyme oreganomint watercress chives tomatoes most common house plants sweet peppers hot peppers cucumbers beans peas squash okramelon strawberriescarrots others

Any plant that can be produced hydroponically can be produced with aquaponics.

In Mauritius the hydroponic growers are almost exclusivelygrowingfiveproducts.Thebreakdownof percentage of total hydroponic production is estimatedasfollows(Elapen,pers.Comm);

• Tomatoes(severalvarieties) 60%• Englishcucumbers 20%• Sweetpeppers 15%• Lettuce&Melon 5%

Although the Dept. of Agriculture in Mauritius describes the vegetable market in Mauritius as being‘self-sufficient’thegrowersacknowledgethat the market is strong and growing. The growth is primarily due to increases in tourism and hotel development as well as changes in local diets. Traditionally,tomatoeswereusedexclusivelyfor‘cooking’ and not for direct use as foods i.e. as inasalad.Recently,howevertherehasbeenashiftinthedietduetotheinfluenceofwesterncuisine to use tomatoes in salads etc… This has increased demand for tomatoes and increased the varieties under culture. In periods of shortage

Figure 22: Hydroponic Cherry tomatoes, Cluny, Mauritius.

4.0 PRODUCTS AND MARKETS


especially during cyclones and drought the country imports fresh vegetables to supplement the local production. Frozen vegetables and special agricultural commodities are imported throughout the year for the local market and the tourist industry.

Local production of all foods in Mauritius accounts foronly23%oftotalrequirementswiththeremainder having to be imported. Food security is a priority for the government. Reliance on imports is often a matter of affordability as local costs of production are too high. Agricultural commodities produced at lower prices in other producer countries will continue to compete with local production both for domestic and export markets. From 2001 to 2006 the value of processed foods including vegetables increased from 0.2 Million RSto9.0millionRS.Thissignificantincreaseis largely due to the food habits of Mauritian consumers having shifted towards processed and conveniencefoods,withanincreasingimportanceonquality,foodsafetyandbrands.Thistrendhascontinued.

Figure 22: Hydroponic Cherry tomatoes, Cluny,

Mauritius.

Figure 24: Hydroponic NFT letttuce production, Vacoas, Mauritius

Food crop production in Mauritius is dominated by small scale farming i.e. farms of 0.25 ha with only a few farms of 10 ha or more. Most of the arable land in Mauritius is dedicated to the production of sugar cane. Crop production continues to be under rain fed conditions resulting in surplus vegetable production during the winter months and a shortage in the summer months. The main constraints for increasing food crop production are availabilityofsuitablelandandlabour,irrigationfacilities,increasingcostofenergyandtheft.

Based on the Ministries report on Strategic OptionsinCropDiversificationandLivestockSector(2007to2015)thereareexpansionplansfor all of the products currently being produced by the hydroponic sector. The Government is also concernedwithlandavailability,useoffertilizers,useofpesticides,andwaterconservation.Allofthese concerns are favourably addressed by the introduction and expansion of aquaponics.

The Government has recognized that hydroponics can produce vegetables of high quality and nutritional value while conserving land and water resources. In light of an increasing tourist industry and sophistication of domestic markets there is an increasing demand for hydroponic products.

In order to cope with the increasing demand for Hydroponics vegetables a projected target of 26 ha of protected cultivation has been set mainly for saladtomato,sweetpepper,lettuce,melonandcucumber production. Current area of protected cultivation is estimated at 18 ha which is roughly on target with the intended expansion.

Products and Markets


Figure: 25 Hydroponic Expansion Implementation Plan (Ministry of Agriculture report on Strategic Options in Crop Diversification and Livestock Sector (2007 to 2015)

Year 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015Acreage )ha(

9.7 10.43 11.53 13.7 16.22 19.48 21.89 24.32 26.00

Yield )t( 2,620 2,858 3,230 3,913 4,456 5,778 7,253 7,344 7,884

By year 2015, it is projected that the area under hydroponics production should gradually increase to 26 ha under different crops as listed below:

Figure 26: Hydroponic Production Targets. (Ministry of Agriculture report on Strategic Options in Crop Diversification and Livestock Sector (2007 to 2015)

Area )ha( 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015Salad Tomato

7.5 7.7 8.1 8.8 9.7 10.8 11.6 12.4 13.0

Sweet pepper

1.5 1.67 1.93 2.38 2.9 3.6 4.12 4.65 5.0

Lettuce 0.2 0.34 0.43 0.9 1.32 1.88 2.3 2.72 3.0Cucumber 0.3 0.43 0.64 0.97 1.38 1.92 2.32 2.73 3.0Melon 0.2 0.29 0.425 0.65 0.92 1.28 1.55 1.82 2.0

InMauritiusthepreferredfishisamarinefish.Freshwaterfishsuchastilapiahavestruggledtoattractahighmarketpriceorvolume.Thatsaid,tilapia is wholesaling for Rs100/kg and the land basedproduceroftilapiasold75tinhisfirstyearof operation. He indicated that this volume did not pose a problem in marketing. Other freshwater species that could be grown in Mauritius could include the freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii).Althoughthewholesalemarketpricefor freshwater prawn is Rs 300/kg the production volume per unit volume of tank is considerably less. Integrating freshwater prawn culture into aquaponics operations is not well documented as tilapia have been the species of choice for almost all aquaponic operations. Those who have

integrated the freshwater prawn culture them in thetroughsofafloatingraftsystemandstillhavetilapia as the primary nutrient supplier. For this reporttheassumedfishofculturewastilapia.

4.2 Product Pricing

Pricing for the main hydroponic crops varies between seasons with the highest prices occurring inthesummermonths(OctobertoApril,withapeakinDec).Duringthisperiodhightemperaturesresult in slowed growth and reduced supply into the marketplace. The reverse is true for the winter months(MaytoSept)whenpricesarelow.Marketprices for the most popular hydroponic crops are as follows;

Figure 27: Hydroponic vegetable pricing.

Product Wholesale )High( Wholesale )Low( Wholesale )Average(Tomato Rs 150/kg Rs 30/kg Rs 50/kgEnglish Cucumber Rs 12/pc Rs 8/pc Rs 10/pcSweet Pepper – Green Rs 80/kgSweet Pepper – Yellow/Red

Rs 110/kg

Lettuce Rs 10/headMelon Rs 110/kg


4.3 Aquaponic production and markets in other African countries

Most African countries are still facing the interlockingchallengesoflowincomes,highshareoffoodinhouseholdbudgets,averyhighdependency on imports for food and for fossil fuel-basedenergysupply,pooragriculturalgrowthperformance,andweakinstitutionalcapacitiesthatexpose them to very high risks of food insecurity. Hunger and malnutrition still are a serious concern throughoutthecontinent,inparticularinsub-Saharan Africa. With 45 per cent of the African population living on less than $1/day and spending 50-75 per cent of their income on staple foods (ahighproportionofwhichareimports)thereareparticularconcernsforthepoor,especiallyin those countries that are highly dependent on the international market for food and energy. (Committee on Food Security and Sustainable Development,2009).

A combination of climatic/agro-ecological zones and dietary/consumption habits determine the dominant crop or food type in each country. The three major food groups in terms of supply for humanconsumptionarecereals,starchyroots,and fruits and vegetables.

Thepercapitasupplyofmilk,meat/offalandeggs– an important source of protein and micronutrients – remains at low levels in all sub regions but North

Figure 28: Hydroponic tomatoes, Mauritius.

Africa.MarinefishconsumptionishighestinWestAfrica(36percent),whileEastAfricaisthemajorconsumeroffreshwaterfish(44percent).ItisevidentthatallcountriesinAfricacouldbenefitnutritionally from the introduction of local food production in the form of aquaponics. In East African countries that are already eating freshwater fishtheintroductionofaquaponicswouldbeagoodfitastilapiaorotherfreshwaterfishwouldhave a ready market. The leafy greens and vegetables produced would be easily sold in any of the African countries. During the period from 2005to200939%ofthefoodcrisisinAfricawererelatedtonatural/meteorological(i.e.draught,fire,floods)causes.Thiswassecondonlytowarandconflict(45%)whichareoftenrootedindisputes over resources including agricultural land and water. Aquaponic food production systems beingwaterefficientandofferinghighyieldsperunit of land as well as being buffered from the direct impacts of meteorological issues would be a welcome contributor to food production in African countries. Local food production that is sustainable such as aquaponic systems are seen as a means of protection against a food security crisis.


5

Economics of Aquaponics


VirginIslands.AfiberglasstankofthissizehasanassumedcapitalcostofRs45,000pertank.

5.1.3 Growing BedsThe growing beds could be made from any strong material such as a wood frame and lined with a waterproof membrane or epoxy sealant. The growing beds can have various shapes and forms but the most common is a rectangle. For this

Forallofthebenefitswhichcanbeaccreditedtothedevelopmentofaquaponicsfinancialsustainability is required in order for the technology tobefullydevelopedasasignificantsourceoffish,fruits,vegetables,andgreens.Atypicalfloodand drain system was designed and costed to assess its economic viability for Mauritius. The size of the system was based on a greenhouse of 900 m2 which are the sizes of the incubator plots used at the hydroponic village at Cluny.Inaddition,mosthydroponicgrowershaveholdingsoflessthan1,000m2 (which is generally acceptedtobetheentrylevelofviability).

5.1 Capital costs:

5.1.1 GreenhouseA greenhouse with a peak height of 4 to 4.5 m is suggested to mitigate high temperatures. The greenhouse would have an overall footprint of 900 m2 and be comprised of 4 to 5 bays common in a ‘gutter connected’ style greenhouse. It is suggested that the greenhouse be covered with greenhouse plastic with a UV blocking rate of <360 nanometers. The greenhouse capital cost willalsoincludeafloorcovering(plastic).Averageprices in Mauritius obtained from the greenhouse growerssurveyedwereRs1,500/m2. Allowing for incidentalsandsiteworksacostofRs2,000/m2 is assumed.

5.1.2 Fish tanksSevenfiberglassorplasticfishtanksarerequired.The tanks would be buried in the ground to minimize pumping and allow for drainage by gravity from the plant growing beds. The assumed dimensions of the tanks are 2.5 m diameter x 1.6 m in height. The culture volume of the tanks is 7.8 m3. This volume was used to allow useable comparison with the tilapia culture in the experimental system of James Rakocy in the US

Figure 30: Fibreglass fish tanks.

Figure 31: Growing beds filled with pea gravel

5.0 ECONOMICS OF AQUAPONICS


study the design dimensions of the growing beds are 0.9m wide x 4.0 m long x 0.3 m depth. This depth is the optimal depth for holding large fruiting plants such as tomatoes and cucumbers and for adequatemineralizationoffishsolids.Shallowerdepths are possible if growing smaller leafy plants such as lettuce. The cost of materials and gravel for each growing bed is conservatively estimated atRs1,500each.The900m2 greenhouse has a capacityofonehundred(100)growingbeds.

5.1.4 PlumbingPlastic pipes and valves are required to circulate thefishwatertothegrowingbedsandtodrainthewaterbacktothefishtanks.Eachtankwillbe associated with 14 or 15 growing beds. The plumbing can be arranged such that growing bedscanreceivefishwaterfromoneormorefishtanks.Thiswillallowforgreaterabilitytobalancenutrientswhenfishtanksorgrowingbedsare harvested. Based on local piping costs an estimateofRs350,000wasused.

5.1.5 PumpsEachfishtankwillbefittedwitha0.5Hpfreshwaterfishpumpcapableofdeliveringupto 300 L/min at 5 m head. These pumps will be controlledwithacycletimerand/orafloatswitch.If three phase power is available then a three phase motor is preferred. Pumps must be capable of cycling of/off numerous times/day. An estimate ofRs24,000perpumpwasassumed,basedonindustry experience.

5.1.6 Air blowersOxygenwillbedeliveredtothefishtanksviaanairblower and air diffuser stones. Regenerative air blowers are very reliable and can run continuously for years without fail. Two 1.5 Hp air blowers of a capacity of 100 cfm at 30 inches of water are requiredtosupplytheairtothesevenfishtanks.Itisadvisabletohaveone(1)spareairbloweronsite at all times. The cost of an air blower of this capacityisestimatedatRs36,000each.

5.1.7 Other capital itemsThe farm will require other capital items such as fishnets,weighingscales,buckets,rubberboots,etc…Theseitemsarecollectivelyestimatedat5%of capital costs.

5.1.8 ContingencyAcontingencyof10%ofallothercapitalcostsisused to allow for cost over-runs.Total capital costs including a greenhouse are estimated at Rs 3.3M. This cost is reduced to Rs 1.3M for existing hydroponic growers who want to utilize an existing greenhouse with an equivalent footprint.

Note: Land costs are highly variable and were not included. This analysis assumes that the proprietor has available lands with services.

5.2 Operating Costs

5.2.1 HR RequirementsA 900 m2 aquaponics system would require a farm manager to look after the overall operation ofthefarmincludingthetimingoffishstockings/harvesting and planting schedule. The farm manager would also look after sales/marketing of the products. The daily operation of the farm would require 3 additional technical staff to undertakefishfeeding,waterqualitymanagement,plant seeding and harvesting as well packaging/processing of marketable products. Labour rates fortechniciansareestimatedatRs7,500/month/person. It is assumed that a single 900 m2 unit would have the farm owner as the farm manager whowouldbeabletotakeasalaryfromnetprofits.

5.2.2 Feed RequirementsIn an aquaculture operation feed is often the highest percentage item of all inputs. In this case since the labour component is higher due to the additional greenhouse activities feed is tied with labour for highest operating cost. It is calculated thateachtankcanyield1,125kgoffishannually.With an assumed food conversion ratio of 1.5:1 thiswouldrequire1,688kgoffeed/yr/tank.Seventanksoffishwouldthenproduce7,875kgoffishandrequired11,812kgoffeed.TotalannualfeedcostsatRs30/kgareRs354,375.

Figure 32: Tilapia feed.

Economics of Aquaponics


5.2.3 Power RequirementsPower is required to operate the water supply pumps to the planter beds and to supply compressedair(oxygen)tothefishtanks.Itisestimated that 2 x 1.5Hp air blowers would be requiredforthefishtankoxygensupply.Eachfishtankwouldhaveitsownsupplypumpwhichwould be interlinked with the other tanks in case of failure. Each pump would be 0.5 Hp. Total pumping power costs are calculated at 6.5 Hp. Thiswouldrequireacalculatedtotalof3,510kW-h/month. Commercial power rates in Mauritius are Rs 5.4/kW-h.

5.2.4 SeedsThe number of seeds required in a year is dependent upon how long the crop is harvested during the year. With respect to tomatoes and cucumbers some growers harvest the same plantsforuptoone(1)yearfromtimeofseedingwhile others replant after 6 months. For the purposes of this analysis it is assumed that the crop(tomatoes)wouldbeharvestedallyearroundi.e. one seeding per year. Stocking densities of plants was universally estimated at 2.5 plants/ m2 ofgreenhousewhichcalculatesto2,250plants/year.Assuminga10%seedlossthentotalseedsrequiredperyearwouldbe2,475.SeedcostsareRs 15 each.

5.2.5 FingerlingsTilapiafingerlingswouldbestockedeveryfourweeks which would allow up to 28 weeks for growth to market size of 500 grams. A total annualproductionof7,785kgoffishwouldrequire15,750harvestedfish.Assuminga5%lossthentotalfingerlingrequirementswouldbe16,538.FingerlingsareavailablefromtheDept.of

Figure 33: Lettuce seedlings.

Fisheries(Albion)foracostofRs1.25each.

5.2.6 Other itemsThere are other items including consumable such as pH balancing chemicals i.e. calcium hydroxide andpotassiumhydroxide,trellisropesforplantvines,ropeclips,seedlingtrays,andthecostofmake up water. These items have been estimated based on costs used by existing growers. Collectivelytheycompriselessthan4%ofdirectoperating costs.

5.2.7 ContingencyAcontingencyof10%wasusedindeterminingdirect operating costs.Total operating costs for the above outlined 900 m2 greenhouseand7x7.8m3fishtanksisestimatedat Rs 1.1M.

5.3 REVENUE POTENTIAL

The above outlined operation is capable of producing7,875kgoftilapia.Atawholesalemarket price of Rs 100/kg this generates Rs 787,500ofrevenue.

Aquaponic trials with a range of tomato varieties including those grown in Mauritius averaged an annualyieldof20kg/plant/year.With2,250plantsthis produces an annual harvested weight of 45,000kgoftomatoesfortheentiregreenhouse.At a wholesale price of Rs 50/kg the revenue generatedbytheproduceisRs2,250,000/yr.

TotalrevenuegeneratedisRs3,037,500/yr.Usingthe annual operating costs above of Rs 1.1M there is approximately Rs 1.9M net revenues available for loan repayment and remuneration of the owner/manager.Asummaryofthefinancialanalysisislisted below. A more detailed breakdown of the costs and revenues is presented in Annex 5.

Figure 34: Tilapia fry.


6

Next Steps


All those who hear about aquaponics are intrigued and often excited about investigating how it could be done. The daunting component seems to be thefishcultureandtheintegrationandbalancingof the water quality parameters. As with most ‘new’ initiatives it is often up to pioneers to explore new technologies. The issue with this approach is that it can be expensive and there is often no guarantee of success. Often when new technologiesfailthebeliefisthatit‘doesn’twork’,which may not be true.

Withallofthebenefitsofaquaponicsoutlinedearlier in this report it is viewed as a sound and appropriate technology for much of Africa and offers not only food security by being able to produce protein and vegetables ‘locally’ but can also offer economic opportunities through commercialization of the technology. That said it is strongly recommended that a pilot aquaponics facility be developed in a selected country. Thefinancialanalysisundertakeninthisstudysupports the development of a pilot facility in strategic countries of the ESA-IO region. The

Figure 36: Pilot project costing.

Capital Costs )€( EstimateGreenhouse(500m2) 25,000Planting beds 5,000Fish tanks 4,800Pumps 3,200Air blowers 2,000Pipe,valvesandfittings 6,000Sub-total capital costs 50,000Operatingcosts–firstsixmonths* 8,000Technical assistance – design, commissioning andtraining

30,000

Sub-total operating costs 38,000Total project costs 88,000

* Assumes operating costs as per those in Mauritius.

pilotfacilitywouldundertaketraining,demonstrateproductionyieldsforthevariousplantsandfishofinterest,anddefineoperatingcosts.Itissuggested that a pilot facility needs to be large enough to demonstrate operating costs at a commercial scale. It is recommended that the pilot facility have a plant production area of a minimum of 500 m2. The pilot facility could also demonstrate bothfloodanddrainaswellasfloatsystems.Asa

firststepitwouldbesimplesttoestablishthefloodand drain gravel bed system and then introduce theraftfloatsystematalaterdate.

Assuming a site along with water and power were available it should be possible to undertake a pilot project involving the construction of a 500 m2 greenhousec/w50floodanddrainbedsandfour7.8 m3fishtanks,forthefollowingbudget;

6.0 NEXT STEPS


Possiblelocationsforapilotfarm,basedonimportrequirements and/or percentage of income spent on foodstuffs would include;MauritiusSeychellesRwandaKenyaZambiaMalawiOnce established and operational workshops could be held in country with invited participants from other countries in the Region to highlight the facility and solicit candidates for training programs at the facility.


ANNEX


ANNEX I – TERMS OF REFERENCE AGROTEC CONSORTIUM Assignment Name ImplementationofaRegionalFisheriesStrategy(IRFS)forESA-IOMission Schedule Number STE-XX – 424158Coordinator ChrisShort,KE3;CoordinatorofRESULT4:RegionalTradeStrategyTechnicalVerifier ChrisShort,KE3;CoordinatorofRESULT4:RegionalTradeStrategyBackground to assignment TheIRFSprogramme(SmartFish)waslaunchedinFebruary2011withthe

aimofcontributingtoanincreasedlevelofsocial,economicandenvironmentaldevelopment and deeper regional integration in the ESA-IO region through thesustainableexploitationoffisheriesresources.Thereare19beneficiarycountriesintheprogrammewhichisfinancedbytheEUunderthe10thEDFwithinatotalfinancialcontributionofEuro21million.TheprogrammeisimplementedbytheIndianOceanCommission(IOC)incollaborationwiththeCommonMarketforEastandSouthernAfrica(COMESA),theEastAfricaCommunity(EAC)andtheInter-GovernmentalAuthorityonDevelopment(IGAD).OtherregionalinstitutionsarealsoinvolvedincludingSADC,IOTC,SWIOFC,LVFO,andLTA.Thefirstphaseoftheprogrammewillbeimplemented over a period of 31 months (End February 2011- September 2013).Theoverallobjectiveoftheprogrammeistocontributetoanincreasedlevelofsocial,economicandenvironmentaldevelopmentanddeeperregionalintegration in the ESA-IO region through the sustainable exploitation of fisheriesresources.Theexpectedresultsandoutcomeoftheprogrammefallsintothefollowingfivecategories:fisheriesgovernance;fisheriesmanagement;monitoring,controlandsurveillance;regionalfishtradeandfoodsecurity.

This assignment: under the mandate of the LOGFRAME 422154 provides supporttoResult4(regionalfishtradecomponent)oftheprojectunderactivitiesrelatedtodevelopingdiversificationopportunitiesandincreasingsuppliesoffishfortrade.Inthisarea,weareinterestedtounderstandhow aquaponics can be utilized to support these activities in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Diversification(ofanindustry/sector)isastrategictermthatreferstonewpossibilities to expand options beyond existing capabilities and resources. Itspeakstodevelopingnewmarkets(newcustomers)andnewproducts(innovation).Marketdiversificationattheregionaland/orinternationallevelisof interest for this study from the perspective of individual countries as a focus but with regional relevance in terms of demonstrating possibilities throughout the region.

Aquaponicsisanintegratedapproachtoproducingfishusingaquaculturetechniques,whilstcombiningproductionsystemswithexistingtechnologyforhydroponicproductionofvegetables,fruits,herbs,etc.Whereashydroponicsisknowntotheregion,verylittleactivityhasbeenundertakenwiththecombinedapproach. A study is envisaged that will identify the potential for Aquaponics as acommercialactivityinselectedcountries.Anoverview(pre-feasibilitylevel)study for Aquaponics is of interest to the SmartFish programme with respect topotentialfordiversificationofthesectorandenhancementofregionaltradeand food security.


The assignment is to produce a document that may or may not stimulate further interest from the SmartFish programme and provide an outline of requirements and constraints for such investment in Mauritius and Seychelles. The ultimate objective of the assignment is to determine whether this sort of technological approach can be practically pursued at the small to medium sized commercial level and if so where the SmartFish programme can then assist in piloting/ training,promotingandenhancingthepotentialinselectedcountries,situations.

Issues to be addressedExpertise required: Aquaponics production specialist

Thespecifictaskisto:Prepareanassessmentofthefeasibility/appropriatenessofAquaponicsasaproductionsystemforfishandotherproductsinMauritiusanddefinetherequirementsforpilotingandcommunicationoftheopportunitiesasakeydiversificationstrategyforthesector.

Activities of the Consultant The expert shall prepare a document that includes, but is not necessarilyrestrictedto,thefollowingoutlinetableofcontents:1. What is Aquaponics?

a. Technical requirements and constraintsb. Description of typical systems

2. Review of existing hydroponics and aquaculture systems regionally a.Whatisinplace,reviewsuccessratesofsystemsidentified,ifany.b. Is there opportunity to adapt / enhance existing hydroponic systems to includefishproductionusingAquaponicssystems?c.What contribution (revenues and costs) wouldAquaponicsmake to anexisting situation and how could that be achieved

3. Products and Marketsa. Types of products that are produced using Aquaponics systems and appropriateness to the Mauritius /Small island economies b. Review of potential markets for Aquaponics production

4. Typical Investment requirementsa. Financials

i. Approximate capital costs to start and or integrate an operation with existing operations in Mauritiusii. Approximate operating costs for a small scale operation that might be suitable for small scale investmentiii.Potentialrevenue/profitsfromsuchanoperation

5. Recommended next steps for training, piloting and communication of themeritsfordiversificationinthefisheriessector6. Prepare and deliver a presentation to selected stakeholders in Mauritius and other invited guests from the region

finalReportingPrepareadraftreportandfollowingcommentsreceivedpreparethefinalreportfor the assignment

Expected outputs TheExpertshallproduceareportdemonstratingtheworkdone,namely:a)FinalReportThe report to be produced usingMSWord (and otherMSOffice software ifnecessary)andbeavailableinhardcopyandelectronicform,bothinWord(andotherMSOfficeProgrammesasappropriate)andalltheelementstogetherinsinglefilepdfformat.


- VARIOUS REPORT FORMATS TO BE AGREE WITH SUPERVISOR IN ADVANCE

- Final Report to include:- MS Word Styles for IRFS Programme Reports and Technical Papers- Structure- Title pages in model format as per other Programme Reports – to be supplied- Tableofcontents,tothreelevels,formalformat–tobeagreed- List of annexes if appropriate- Tablesoftables,figuresandpicturesallformalformat- Abbreviations and acronyms- Layman’s summary (one paragraph encapsulating key elements that can be

usedinmagazine/webi.e.notovertechnical)- ExecutiveSummary(1to2pages),inEnglish,andFrench- Introduction- Mainbodyofreportdividedintodifferentsectionsasappropriate,normally

Context,Methodology,PerformanceinrelationtoTOR,andDiscussion(upto20pages)

- Conclusions and recommendations (each recommendation must be precededbyaconclusion,thatreferstoadiscussioninthemainbodyofthereport)

- Annex1Termsofreference(ifappropriate)- Annex2Scheduleandpeoplemet(withcontacts)- Annex3AideMemoire(max.onepageonexecutionofmission,findings,

conclusions,andrecommendationsinbulletpoints)- Anyotherannex(es)asappropriate- Format as per PMU indications.

Report reviewed by ChrisShort,KeyExpertforTradeResult


Duration AQUAPONICS Specialist Days

(i)DeskStudy,backgroundresearchfromhomebase 2(ii)Traveltofield 1(iii) Field Mission to investigate collect data,markets and production research, interviews withstakeholders,andofficials

11

(iv)PrepareandDeliverPresentationtostakeholdersin Mauritius with invited regional parties (IOC countries)

1

(v)Returntohomebase 1(vi)Preparationandsubmissionofdraftreport 5(vii) Final report preparation after comments fromPMU/Stakeholders

2

(viii)

(ix)

(x)Total 23Total input days: 23 working days

Start date :Approximate Start - June 2012

Completion dates for Reports and fee payment schedule

Draft report WhilstonMission,andfollowingmission

Comments from PCM Within 1 week after submission of draft report

Final report Before End July 2012

Final report basis for relevant payments

Experience and qualification

:Qualificationsandskills- fluencyinoneofFrenchorEnglishandworkingknowledgeofother- Implementation of Communication plans- Demonstrated experiencewithAquaponics technology,marketing, aquaculture systems,etc.- Experience working with EU projects an advantage

Locations andtravel

Home base + travel in region as required: Travelfrom:(Homebase)>>Mauritius>>to(Homebase)

:Requested DominiqueGreboval Project TeamLeader :Date

:Validated Léon Martial Harijhonse RAZAKA ProgrammeManager,forIOC-RAO :Date


ANNEX 2 – CONTACTS

Contact Name Organization Address/Tel/E-mail

Daroomalingum Mauree DirectorofFisheries,MinistryofFisheries and Rodrigues

,4thFloor,L.I.C.Building,JohnKennedyStreet,PortLuis,Mauritius.Tel: 230-208-7978 Email: [email protected]

S. Soondron PrincipalFisheriesOfficer,MinistryofFisheries and Rodrigues

4thFloor,L.I.C.Building,JohnKennedyStreet,PortLuis,Mauritius.Tel: 230-259-4434 Email: [email protected]

Mainza Kalonga RegionalRep,ZambiaSmartFish

Jesse Brizmohun Tel:230-250-0241,E-mail: [email protected]

Satish Hanoomanjee CEO Fisheries Investment Trust Tel: 230-713-2710E-mail:[email protected]

Mehdi Rahimbaccus HydrponicsVillageGrower,Secretaryof Village Hydroponic Multipurpose Cooperative Society

HydroponicVillage,Cluny,Mauritius.Tel:230-795-6891,E-mail: [email protected]

S. Khadun ScientificOfficer,FisheriesResearchDivision,AlbionFisheriesResearchCentre,MinistryofFisheries.

Albion,PetitRiviere,Tel:230-753-5926,E-mail: [email protected]

S.K. Ramsaha ScientificOfficer,AquacultureDivision,AlbionFisheriesResearchCentre,Ministry of Fisheries

Albion,PetitRiviere,Mauritius

Devanand Norungee Principal Fisheries Officer, FisheriesDivision, Ministry of Fisheries, AlbionFisheriesResearchCentre,MinistryofFisheries

Albion,PetitRiviere,Mauritius.Tel: 230-238-4925,230-251-0744E-mail :[email protected]

Pentiah Pramendra President of Village Hydroponic Multipurpose Cooperative Society

HydroponicVillage,Cluny,Mauritius.Tel:230-743-1899,230-780-1571E-mail:[email protected]

Rudy Ellapen ScientificOfficer,AgriculturalResearchandExtensionUnit,Dept.ofAgriculture

Tel: 230-794-4795 E-mail [email protected]

Kaviraj Ballah Grower,HydroponicVillage,Cluny HydroponicVillage,Cluny,Mauritius.E-mail : [email protected]

Balraj Mudoo Grower,HydroponicVillage,Cluny HydroponicVillage,Cluny,Mauritius.E-mail : [email protected]


Anil Goburdhun Grower,HydroponicVillage,Cluny Mauritius.E-mail : [email protected]

Yusuf Luttoo Grower,HydroponicVillage,Cluny HydroponicVillage,Cluny,Mauritius.Tel: 230-915-5054

Indiven Muthan Grower,HydroponicVillage,Cluny HydroponicVillage,Cluny,Mauritius.E-mail : [email protected]

Maryesh Babajee Grower,HydroponicVillage,Cluny HydroponicVillage,Cluny,Mauritius.Tel: 230-910-3771

Guybenthe Golee Grower,HydroponicVillage,Cluny HydroponicVillage,Cluny,Mauritius.E-mail : [email protected]

Jadesh Ramdonee Grower,HydroponicVillage,Cluny HydroponicVillage,Cluny,Mauritius.E-mail : [email protected]

Christopher Bazenque Grower,HydroponicVillage,Cluny HydroponicVillage,Cluny,Mauritius.E-mail : [email protected]

Gansam Boodram ManagingDirector,GreenworldCoLtd SolferinoNo.1,Vacoas,Mauritius.Tel: 230-427-8113 E-mail : [email protected]

D. Y. Bachraz Manager,GreenworldCo.Ltd. SolferinoNo.1,Vacoas,Mauritius

K.H. Nandee H.K.&DNandeeCo.Ltd. 67PalmaRoad,QuatreBornes,MauritiusTel: 230-424-3839 E-mail : [email protected]

Devalingum Nandee Director,EthicServices 67PalmaRoad,QuatreBornes,MauritiusTel: 230-427-6080 E-mail : [email protected]


ANNEX 3 – REFERENCES BlueprintforaSustainableDiversifiedAgriFoodStrategyforMauritius2008-2015.2008.MinistryofAgro-IndustryandFisheries,FisheriesDivision,Mauritius,July2008.

ECONOMIC COMMSION FOR AFRICA. 2009. The Status on Food Security in Africa. Committee on FoodSecurityandSustainableDevelopmentSixthsession,RegionalImplementationMeetingforCSD-18,27-30October2009.AddisAbaba,Ethiopia

FAO.2012.StateoftheWorldFisheriesandAquaculture.FAOFisheriesandAquacultureDepartment,FOODANDAGRICULTUREORGANIZATIONOFTHEUNITEDNATIONS,Rome,2012Goodman,E.R.2005.Aquaponics:CommunityandEconomicDevelopment.MastersDegreeThesis.Department of Urban Studies and Planning. Arizona State University.Lapere,P.2010.ATechno-EconomicFeasibilityStudy intoAquaponics inSouthAfrica. MasterDegreeThesis. FacultyofEngineeringDepartmentof IndustrialEngineeringUniversityofStellenbosch,SouthAfrica.

Potential for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in Mauritius. 2007. Board of Investment. Ministry of Agro-IndustryandFisheries,FisheriesDivision,Mauritius,Dec.2007.

Rakocy,James,Bailey,D.,Shultz,C.,andDanaher,J.FishandVegetableProductioninaCommercialAquaponic System: 25 Years of Research at the University of the Virgin Islands University of the Virgin Islands,AgriculturalExperimentStation,RR1,Box10,000Kingshill,VI00850USARakocy,James,Bailey,D.,Shultz,C.,andThoman,E.UpdateonTilapiaandVegetableProductionintheUVIAquaponicSystem.UniversityoftheVirginIslands,AgriculturalExperimentStation,St.Croix,U.S.Virgin Islands. Powerpoint Presentation.

RandallE.Brummett,JérômeLazard,JohnMoehl. 2008. AfricanAquaculture:Realizingthepotential.FoodPolicy,Vol.33,Issue5,pp.371-385

Savidov, Nick. 2004. Evaluation and Development of Aquaponics Production and Product MarketCapabilities in Alberta Ids Initiatives Fund Final Report Project #679056201 August17,2004.

StrategicOptionsinCropDiversificationandLivestockSector(2007-2015)MinistryofAgro-IndustryandFisheries. Agriculture Division. August 2007

Subhrankar Mukherjee. 2011. CONCEPT NOTE: AQUAPONIC SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES To showcase sustainable food security initiatives in urban and village-based communities. Sankalpa ResearchCenterSRC/ATD/AP.01Revision1,25thAugust2011

.Wilson,J.2005.GreenhouseAquaponicsProvesSuperiortoInorganicHydroponics.AquaponicsJournal,Issue39,4thQuarter,2005.www.aquaponicsjournal.com


ANNEX 4 – USEFUL WEB BASED INFORMATION

1. Hydroponics in Mauritius http://nawsheenh.blogspot.ca/2011/12/hydroponics-production-in-mauritius.html2. Ten Guidelines for Aquaponic Systems http://aquaponicsglobal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Aquaponics-Journal-10-Guidelines.pdf3. Friendly Aquaponics – Hawai http://www.friendlyaquaponics.com/do-it-myself-systems/commercial-system/4. Aquaponics Common Sense Guide http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/Travis/Aquaponics_Common_Sense_Guide.pdf5. AquaponicsforFunandProfit! http://deniseclarke.hubpages.com/hub/Aquaponics-for-Fun-and-Profit6. AQUAPONIC SYSTEMS http://diyaquaponics.com/aqua_plans.php7. Aquaponics in Rural Kenya http://www.amshaafrica.org/projects-and-clients/current-projects/aquaponics-in-rural-kenya.html8. Portable Farms Aquaponic Systems http://portablefarm.com/farm/portable-farms-aquaponics-systems/9. Barrel Ponics. Faith and Sustainable Technologies. http://www.fastonline.org/content/blogsection/8/32/ 10. Starting Up and Aquaponics Systems Using Fish http://theaquaponicsource.com/2011/02/07/starting-up-cycling-an-aquaponics-system-using-fish/


ANNEX 5 – FiNANciAl SummAry Assumptions

Area of Greenhouse 900m2

Crop produced TomatoesPlanting density 2.5 plants/m2

Annual yield 20 kg/plant/yrVolumeoffishtanks 7.8 m3 eachNo. of Fish tanks 7Maxstockingdensityoffish 60 kg/m3

Annual yield 1,125kg/tank/yrTotal power 6.5 kwTotal power per year 42,120

Capital Costs Quantity Unit cost )Rs( Total Cost )Rs(Land,water,power Already existingGreenhouse c/w ground cover

900 m2 2,000/m2 1,800,000

Fish tanks 7 45,000/tank 315,000Plant grow beds c/w gravel

100 1,500 150,000

PVC plumbing – supply and drainage pipe work andfittings

7 50,000 350,000

Pumps 7 24,000 168,000Air blowers 3 36,000 108,000Other(5%) 1 143,550 143,550Contingency(10%) 1 303,555 303,555

Total 3,339,105

Operating Financial SummaryRevenues Quantity Unit Price )Rs/kg( Total )Rs(Tomatoes 45,000kg 50 2,250,000Tilapia 7,875kg 100 787,500

Sub-total 3,037,500

Operating Costs Quantity )Unit Cost )RsLabour – 4 persons 48 persons/months/yr 7,000/mo 336,000


Fish Feed 11,812kg/yr 30/kg 354,360Power 42,120kw-h/yr 5.4/kw-h 227,448Plantseeds(incl.10%loss)

2,475 15/seed 37,125

Fishfingerlings(incl.5%loss)

16,538 1.25/fingerling 20,672

pH balancing chemicals 500 kg/yr 50/kg 25,000Trellis ropes 4 rolls 1,500/roll 6,000Seed trays 30 60/tray 1,800Water (m3/yr) 300 10/m3 3,000Incidentals(5%) 5%ofothercosts 50,570Contingency(10%) 10%oftotalcosts 106,198

Sub-total 1,168,173

Net Revenues 1,869,327

This analysis does not include borrowing costs or remuneration for the owner. In Mauritius the current loan conditions from the Government for this type of development are repayment over a 7 year period with a 2 yeargraceperiod.Asummaryofapossiblefinancingscenarioispresentedbelow.

Financing scenarioItems Greenhouse required Existing Greenhouse )Total Cost )RsCapital required 3,339,105 1,359,105Working capital first sixmonths

585,910 585,910 1,800,000

Total capital required 3,925,015 1,945,015 315,000Investment(25%) 981,254 486,254 150,000Loan(75%) 2,943,761 1,458,761 350,000Repayment term 7 years 7 years 168,000Grace period 2 years 2 years 108,000Annual interest rate 9% 9% 143,550Monthly loan payment (60 months)

61,107 30,281 303,555

Annual loan payments 733,284 363,3723,339,105

Net Revenues 1,869,327 1,869,327Annual Loan payments 733,284 363,372Revenues before taxes 1,136,043 1,505,955


ANNEX 6 – DrAWiNGS


LIST OF PUBLICATIONS – LISTE DES PUBLICATIONSSmartFish Programme

1. Report of the Inception / Focal Point Meeting of the SmartFish Programme – Flic en Flac, Mauritius, 15th-16th June 2011. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2011/01. August/Août 2011. SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

2. Report of the First Steering Committee Meeting of the SmartFish Programme – Flic en Flac, Mauritius,17th June 2011. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2011/02. August/Août 2011. SmartFish Programme Indian Ocean Commission.

3. Rapport de la réunion de présentation du programme SmartFish aux points focaux – Flic en Flac, Ile Maurice, 15-16 juin 2011. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2011/03. August/Août 2011. SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

4. Eco-Certification for the Tuna Industry, Technical Assistance for Implementation of a Regional Fisheries Strategy for ESA-IO (IRFS). REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2011/04. May 2011. SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

5. Regional Market Assessment (Supply and Demand). REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/05. March/Mars 2012. SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

6. Trade Assessment Study. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/06. March/Mars 2012. SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

7. Gouvernance des Pêches Maritimes dans l’Ouest de l’Océan Indien. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/07. June/Juin 2012. SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

8. Value Chain Assessment of the Artisanal Fisheries – Mauritius. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/08. June/Juin 2012. SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

9. Kenya Fisheries Governance. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/09. June/Juin 2012. SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

10. Training Needs Analysis – Quality and Hygiene: REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/10. June/Juin 2012.SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

11. A Review of Somalia’s & (Semi-Autonomous Regions) Fisheries Legislation and Management. REPORT RAPPORT: SF/2012/11. June/Juin 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

12. Assessment of IUU Activities On Lake Victoria. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/12. June/Juin 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

13. Review Of The Legal Framework for the ESA-IO Region. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/13. June/Juin 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

14. Comprehensive capacity review to implement effective MCS in the ESA-IO Region. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/14. June/Juin 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

15. Assessment of IUU Fishing in Lake Tanganyika. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/15. June/Juin 2012

SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.


16. Spirulina – A Livelihood and a Business Venture. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/16. SmartFish Programme. June/Juin 2012 Indian Ocean Commission.

17. Diversification Study (Eco-Tourism and Recreational Fisheries). REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/17. June/Juin 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

18. Value Chain Analysis of Fisheries Sector for Rodrigues. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/18. June/Juin 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

19. Dagaa Value Chain Analysis and Proposal for Trade Development. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/19. June/Juin 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

20. Operationalization of Fish Auction Market. (Feasibility Study). REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2011/20. December/Décembre 2011 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

21. Options to Reduce IUU Fishing in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zanzibar: REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/21. August/Août 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

22. Revitalization of Fisheries Research in Mauritius. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/22. August/Août 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

23. Preparation of Draft Kenya Fisheries Management and Development Bill: REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/23. August/Août 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

24. Une Analyse Globale de la Chaîne D’approvisionnement de la Pêcherie du Crabe de Mangrove (Scylla serrate) à Madagasar. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/24. August/Août 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

25. Analyse Globale de la Gouvernance et de la chaîne D’approvisionnement de la Pêcherie du concombre de mer à Madagasar. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/25. August/Août 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

26. Processing and Marketing of Small-Sized Pelagics in Eastern and Southern Africa. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/26. August/Août 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

27. Report of the Second Steering Committee Meeting of the SmartFish Programme. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2011/27. August/Août 2012. SmartFish Programme Indian Ocean Commission.

28. The Farming of Seaweeds. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2011/28. August/Août 2012. SmartFish Programme Indian Ocean Commission.

29. Culture d’Algues Marines. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2011/29. August/Août 2012. SmartFish Programme Indian Ocean Commission.

30. Report of the Focal Point Meeting of the SmartFish Programme – Livingstone, Zambia, 28th – 29th February 2012. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2011/30. August/Août 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

31. Appui a l’Elaboration d’une Strategie Nationale de Bonne Gouvernance des Peches Maritimes a Madagascar. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/31. June/Juin 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

32. A Review of Bycatch and Discard Issues in Indian Ocean Tuna Fisheries. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/32. 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.


33. The Feasibility of Aquaponics in Mauritius. REPORT/RAPPORT: SF/2012/33. August/Août 2012 SmartFish Programme. Indian Ocean Commission.

For The Eastern-Southern Africa and India Ocean …This report was prepared by David Roberts (JDR...

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Transcript of For The Eastern-Southern Africa and India Ocean …This report was prepared by David Roberts (JDR...