ARID EDEN AQUAPONICS OFFICIAL VISIT AND HANDOVER

The Arid Eden Aquaponics system represents a major advancement in sustainable agriculture and climate-smart technology. Following the Aquaponics Project Team’s site visit on June 20, 2024, an assessment was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of constructing a demonstration aquaponics system. The site, located at the Base Camp in the NamibRand Nature Reserve (GPS: 25° 6'52.86"S 15°59'41.08"E), was selected for its potential to support such a system. For further information, visit Arid Eden. Construction commenced in October 2024, marking second exciting chapter for the project.

System Construction and Preparation Construction of the aquaponics system was completed after months of dedicated efforts by the project team. Following the completion of the physical setup, the system underwent two months of water cycling to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and stabilize ammonia levels. On December 7, 2024, 250 juvenile fish, measuring approximately 20 cm, were introduced into the system. These fish were sourced from Karibib Aqualekker Farm and transported successfully with a survival rate of 99%.

Official Visit and Handover Ceremony on December 12, 2024, the Aquaponics team, alongside the project coordinator, Mr. Pietari from the Embassy of Finland, conducted an official visit and handover of the system to Arid Eden Management. This event marked the formal transfer of daily operations and maintenance responsibilities to the Arid Eden management team.

Fish Transport and Introduction

• Preparation for Transport:
  • Fish were purged for two days prior to transport.
  • 10g of Epsom salt was added to the water to maintain fish health.
  • On the day of collection, 500 g of salt was added to the 100 L transport tanks to sedate the fish.
  • A 100 L/h air pump was connected to six airstones, with three immersed to ensure proper aeration without over-saturating the water.
  • Temperature was monitored consistently to avoid fluctuations.
• On Arrival:
  • 50% of the water was changed immediately upon arrival.
  • Fish were introduced to their new environment the following day after temperature equalization between transport containers and the system tanks.
  • Only two fish were lost out of the 250 transported.

System Enhancements

• Additional air pumps were installed to improve aeration and manage high temperatures:
  • A 200 L/min pump was added to aerate the system and cool the grow beds.
  • A backup pump was also included for operational redundancy.
• The existing 100 L/min pump was repurposed to aerate the biofilter, accelerating bacterial growth essential for converting NH4 (ammonium) into NO3 (nitrate) for plant use.
• Water flow was regulated to prevent tank overflow and maintain system balance.

Coaching and Seedling Transplantation

• Coaching sessions were conducted to train the Arid Eden team on:
  • System operations and maintenance.
  • Transplanting seedlings.
  • Recording and monitoring water parameters.
• On December 9, 2024, the first batch of seedlings was transplanted into the system, with additional seedlings germinating in specialized seed trays. This staggered production approach allows for 70 new seedlings to be transplanted weekly as the system matures.

System Performance Data recorded from the system indicates rapid maturation:

• Low NH4 levels.
• Intermediate NO2 levels.
• Increasing NO₃ levels, ideal for plant growth.

In conclusion, the official visit and handover of the Arid Eden Aquaponics system marks a significant milestone in advancing sustainable agriculture and education in Namibia. The system not only addresses food insecurity but also promotes climate-smart agriculture while providing hands-on learning opportunities for Level 3 trainees. This innovative project highlights the power of international collaboration and will serve as a valuable resource for students and an attraction for tourists, further solidifying Namibia’s commitment to sustainable development and education.