Aquaponics Project Team Field Visit to Erongo Region
In March 2024, the HSF Aquaponics Project team, consisting of Project Coordinator Mr. Patrick Hilger and Project Assistant Coordinator Mr. Bruce Liswani, conducted a field visit to the Erongo region, specifically Swakopmund and Henties Bay. The primary objective of this initial trip was to assess potential sites for the construction of new aquaponic systems and to engage with prospective suppliers responsible for building the demo aquaponic systems.
On March 25th, the project team embarked on a visit to Mr. Anthony Bessinger, identified as a potential supplier for constructing the demonstration aquaponic system. Mr. Bessinger's farm is located 30 kilometers north of Swakopmund, where he already operates an aquaponic system, primarily focusing on lettuce vegetables rather than fish. He informed us that he supplies over 1000 vegetables monthly to local markets in Swakopmund. During our discussion, Mr. Bessinger emphasized the importance of careful consideration and vigilance in setting up aquaponic systems in coastal areas like Swakopmund due to varying weather conditions. He provided insights into the weather patterns, with annual maximum and minimum temperatures recorded at 24°C and 19°C, respectively. Despite initial challenges, Mr. Bessinger's experience in aquaponics and hydroponics proved valuable, offering us essential information and insights into the setup's touches and challenges in coastal regions.
Moreover, Mr. Anthony facilitated a connection with Mr. Manfred Grabow, a supplier of fingerlings and fish feed at competitive prices, whom we visited the following day. This visit was instrumental in not only gathering crucial information for setting up the system but also establishing a personal rapport with Mr. Anthony. This allowed us to discuss and engage in detailing the specifications of the demo unit that the project will build, which differ from Mr. Anthony's existing aquaponic setup. Overall, the visit proved invaluable in enriching our understanding of aquaponics in coastal regions and in forging important connections for our project's success.
On March 26th, the aquaponic project team conducted a visit to the Sam Nujoma Unam campus in Henties Bay. During this visit, the team had the opportunity to meet with the Head of the Department of Aquaculture, Mr. Martin Tjipute, along with his esteemed colleagues Prof. Nhiwatiwa Tamuka, Mrs. Martha Ikechukwu, Mr. Mupambwa Allan, and Mr. Iitembu Johannes. These individuals serve as technical trainers, lecturers, and researchers within the Department of Multitrophic Aquaculture and Ocean Science at the Henties Bay campus.
The engagement at Sam Nujoma Unam campus was highly productive and promising, as Henties Bay emerged as a potential location for constructing a demo aquaponic system. Notably, the campus boasts a research center with undergraduate and postgraduate students specializing in Aquaria science. Discussions during the meeting revolved around several key points, including the identification of a suitable location for the system, leveraging existing infrastructure such as the greenhouse structure for construction, and ongoing efforts by the Unam campus to set up an aquaponic system for research purposes.
Furthermore, the visit marked a significant step forward in solidifying the partnership between HSF and the Sam Nujoma Unam campus, laying the groundwork for the successful implementation of the aquaponic project. On March 27th, during our return journey to Windhoek, we made a stop to visit Mr Manfred Grabo’s fish farm and Mr. John Bouwer, the owner and manager of Aqualekker Aquaponics in Karibib, Namibia. Mr. Grabow independently produces his own fish feed and has been distributing it to various fish farmers along the coastal regions. Our visit to his farm served as a preliminary engagement to discuss his strategies for managing a fish farm in Swakop, particularly in light of the extreme weather conditions prevalent in the area. Additionally, Mr. Grabow offers small Tilapia Fish for sale, and through collaboration, he will supply fish stock for the demo system planned for construction at the Henties Bay Unam campus.
Finally, the pre-trip engagement proved to be highly successful in achieving its objectives. Meeting with potential suppliers Mr. Anthony and Mr. John provided valuable insights into the notes of building aquaponic systems in coastal areas and northern areas of Namibia, enhancing our understanding and preparation. Additionally, the site visit at Unam yielded positive results, with its existing infrastructure such as a greenhouse offering a promising location for system installation, thereby allowing for adjustments to the budget. Moving forward, the team will remain in close contact with all stakeholders and suppliers to plan and execute the transportation and full installation of the aquaponics systems.
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