OUTAPI DAPP VTC AQUAPONICS HANDOVER
OUTAPI AQUAPONICS HANDOVER AND COACHING
From the 9th to the 12th. February 2025 the AQUAPONICS Coordinator had the first follow up coaching on the system before the planned inauguration. While on site, because of the news of the passing of the Founding President, H.E. Dr Samuel Shafishuna Nujoma, and the announced mourning period it was decided to postpone the auspicious event to the 18th of March 2025
The days on site in February were used to introduce new fish to the system and to do to minor fixes on the system as well as to do coaching of the end users on site.
The fish received from the Onavivi Inland Aquaculture Center showed high mortality rates , and the Project Coordinator and Advisor decided to get better quality from a private fish farmer raising good quality Tilapia Rendalii fish in dams.
New fish introduction and coaching
The end users got training in proper handling and transporting of fish.
The first criterion was to select healthy fish
On arrival the fish stayed overnight in the holding tank where only half of the water was changed, and salt was added to reduce the stress.
Once the temperature in the holding tank was close to the main tank (maximum one degree Celsius below) the fish were transferred to slightly warmer water ( during the delivery from the Ministry the water was 4 degrees colder in the receiving tank).
Introduction of earthworms in the Media /gravel beds
1000 Earth worms were ordered and delivered for the Gravel Media beds. @ 250 per media bed those will thrive in the humid but aerated gravel media and will help keeping the bed media clean and release additional micronutrients from the media.
The end users were shown where to put them and explained the benefits.
Hand over the water testing kits and first coaching of usage.
The testing showed that the system had not yet matured i.e. no Nitrates could be measured.
Thus more life nitrification bacteria were bought as well as a kelp based organic fertigation was added to the water as food for the bacteria.
Adding of a Mineralization tank
The initial design did not have a mineralization tank. As the latter could be beneficial to increase nutrients and avoid flushing the water into the neighboring garden it was proposed to have a 100L tank with K1 beads and have it heavily aerated. This will further decompose the solid phase, and the fish tea could be added to the gravel media beds plants and serve as an inoculation with more bacteria.
It is expected that during the next visit on the 17th of March the system will start producing the Nitrates needed to feed the plants.
17TH OF MARCH PREPARE SITE FOR INAUGURATION
The second visit was on 17.03 to check the system maturity, do a follow-up coaching of the users and prepare for the inauguration to be held on the 18th of March.
Coaching on pruning the Tomatoes, recognizing deficiency, identifying pests and advise on remedies.
The tomatoes grew well in a short month and were remarkable healthy despite the heavy rainy season and humidity which would normally encourage fungal diseases. It shows the resilience of an Aquaponics system.
The tomatoes were, however, still few and small and showed Potassium deficiency and needed serious pruning of excessive sucker branches and reduction of vegetative growth to the benefits of fruit production.
The trainees were giving practical advice on pruning and trelling the branches upwards. This will improve plant health due to better aeration
To remedy the potassium deficiency (usually absent in the fish food) the project coordinator and advisor recommended to apply Potassium bicarbonate ( Brand name AgriCure) as the latter has two benefits:
One is to prevent fungal diseases due to an increased pH level on the leaves during foliar sprays, the second is to get K Potassium into the plant.
The product is also safe for fish and is allowed in organic practices.
Testing of the water parameter.
Further coaching was done on the correct usage of the water test kits received,
This focused on NH4+ Ammonium, N02 Nitrite, N03 Nitrates and pH.
Nitrate and the importance of pH both in the absorption of nutrients and in the balance of the NH4 (Ammonium) form to NH3 (Ammonia) were explained. The latter Ammonia being highly toxic to fish with increased pH levels.
The trainee on duty made mistakes in February in testing and recording, thus this was repeated and the proper recording procedures explained .
After the training he did a new test and we had a more consistent record and NH4 levels starting to lower to 0.05ppm while Nitrite was detected and the first N03 concentrations of 10 ppm showed.
Coaching on proper fish feeding technics
The trainees were reminded of the proper feeding ratios and the importance of observing the fish after each feeding so as not to overfeed which would create dangerous Ammonia levels.
Inauguration Day 18th of March
The project coordinator joined the VTC committee in organizing the event. The event was well prepared and by 10.00 in the morning all was ready.
The guest speakers were as follows.
Dr Clemens von Doderer the HSF Resident Representative , Representatives standing in for the Governor of the Omusati Region Hon Erginus Endjala and the Councillor of the Anamulenga Constituency Hon. Tylvas Aho Angalala as well as the VTC DAPP Principal Mr Thomas Itungu.
It was highligted that Aquaponics is now a level 3 Qualification with fully developped Unit standards.
Mr Franklin Angermund the Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager from the Namibia Breweries Limited ( under the Umbrella Heineken Social impact program ) was another main supporter of this last Aquaponic system.
The Finish embassy’s contribution to the project was also honored both in the speeches as well as through the banners and Plaque unveiling.
The host DAPP VTC also organized the DAPP cultural group and all Trainers and Trainees to support the event.
The event ended with the Plaque unveiling and the Aquaponics System Tour led by the Project coordinator and Advisor Mr Patrick Hilger.
Coaching on staggered production
Most of the lettuce was sold or eaten by the 18th of March and served to guests and school staff.
The next day the Project coordinator did a finally coaching on staggered production with the end users to assure the system does not struggle with inconsistent supply, but rather plants every 2 weeks a smaller amount of 72 heads of lettuce or other leafy crop.
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