Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello Aquaponics Industry.

Our Australian based team is facilitating a UVI Aquaponics System project in Rwanda, East Africa.

The plan is 3 UVI replicates over 3 years in a Aid & Devlopment Project known as the 'Village of Hope'

System I: Village food supply
System II: Village food supply & surrounding community
System III: Commercial system focus- Value-added crop Agribusiness e.g Sun-Dried Tomato's Basil Pesto, Herb Essential Oils

The 8 Millenium Development Goals are key principles behind this project development and facilitating Food Security, Poverty Reduction & Micro-Enterprise opportunities.

If you are attending the 2008 Australasian Aquaculture Conference in Brisbane Aug 3-6 (next week) - be sure to listen in to the presentation Aquaponics in Sub-Saharan Africa, is it Sustainable Hope.

A Global Industry is the Global Solution!!!

SH, (can I call you that?) we are not the aquaponic industry, just a few amatures having a good time and growing a bit of produce in our backyard. Thanks for the invite to the big con, sorry I cant come. Is there any way you can download a copy of your presentation somewhere here? Goodluck in Africa.

The Powerpoint Presentation will be available via email from next week and on an URL in a few weeks.

Page 50 in the latest AustAsia Aquaculture Mag is a 2 page spread also. I have this via email also.

Hey if we can do it it in our backyards, then why not lend a hand and do it in others backyards also..

When my backyard is good I will pass it on! With love.

Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life!

How many lives are you planning to feed in your lifetime?

Make a difference - you have the power!!

...and I enjoy using it the way I deem fit...wish you the best in your endeavours

you could outline how you intend to do all of this...
AP is a power hungry hobby - some use less than others, but it is still needed... All of Africa has a BAD reputation with regards to power grids -
I applaud you initiative (I taught young black teens in rural South Africa to grow food in a sustainable manner and know of the need to bring food production out there).. But have you worked out all the if, buts and what ifs? Africa still has a savage heart, beware her bite!

Yes, electricty supply is being connected to the Village as we speak. Looking at back up generators for village also as there are plans for school, medical clinic, church, etc etc

Am very keen on 24v Solar/ Wind options also.

Rwanda has the biggest Solar power plant in Africa.

It is possible to run multiple small systems on solar power... Thats the way I'm running mine, small 7.5watt air pump to recirculate the water.

I do not question that they can Produce it, but share it evenly amongst the populous ... there in lies the problem most times.
I would have those "back ups" (perhaps explore more than just petrol or diesel generators) in place before starting running as this would reduce your dependence on any other organization (especially governmental)

So what IS there... what is in the village as it stands now?

There currently is:

24 low cost houses - USD $10000 each, max development of 60 houses
Over 120 Widows & Orphans housed & sheltered
15+ Pit loos
Electricty being connected

Next 6-12 months:

1-3 UVI Aquaponics systems, market produce garden & orchard/ Jatropha plot
36 houses = 60 max
600 Widows & orphans max
30 Pit Loos
School buildings
Medical clinic
Church
Community Centre
Agriculture Training Centre

In regards to power supply. Biofuel gensets powered by locally produced Jatropha Biodiesel.

Looking into organic based Tilapia feed also.

Surrounding community of 'Village of Hope' includes in excess of 1 million mouths & stomachs to fill with fresh Tilapia, AP Fruits, Veges and medicinal plants.

Cheers

What sort of dirt gardening is in place - and live stock? SOunds like it will benefit many if all works well. BTW, who pays for all of this?

Reading about pit latrines makes me want to put you in contact with Joseph Jenkins, the author of the Humanure Handbook. He does travel to help get humanure composting set up in new locations. Here are some links.
http://www.jenkinspublishing.com/humanure.html He does have a forum on the site and humanure composting is a wonderful way to close the nutrient cycle, improve sanitation, avoid ground water pollution, and reduce the unpleasantness of pit latrines.
To read the book free online http://www.weblife.org/humanure/default.html

The majority of the 'Village of Hope' in Rugende, is funded by HOPE:Rwanda (www.hoperwanda.org) through charitable donations, fundraising and corporate partners.

We are also at the stage of a USAID grant funding proposal and are seeking other contributions for the AP

HOPE:Rwanda is the management organisation that oversees not only the 'Village of Hope' but also Health, Education and the 'Sustainable Hope' Aquaponics sectors.

We are launching a fundraising progam known as the '100 Givers of Hope' & seeking 100 x AUD/USD $1000 donations to facilitate a $100 000 budget for the 3 UVI model Systems.

Let me remind you that in 1994 in Rwanda over a period of 100 days, in excess of 1 million people were killed in a genocide, leaving one of the greatest needs in modern history. We are focusing on the Widows & Orphans of genocide to enable the provision of change & making a difference!

So, I put this to the BYAP Forum:

Who is going to get out there cheque-books, old change jars or sell some lovely AP produce to part with $1000?

All is tax deductable & a tax invoice is provided.

Sorry mate but my resources are going into NE Thailand,,already supporting 4 family members there and helping out the local church that has 24 orphans.