We have already reported on the start of the project INCiTiS-FOOD You find the article here.In the meantime, 18 months have passed, and as a lot has happened, we would like to provide you with an overview of the current situation – this time with plenty of pictures. In this article, we will also abbreviate our company name as APM
The first 12 months
of the project, we initially focused on establishing the foundation for collaboration, such as a platform for documents, the setup of communication tools, scheduling, and much more. Right at the start of the project, we began developing a standard aquaponics training system, which consists of locally available materials like IBC tanks, blue wide-neck barrels, and locally sourced PVC pipes. This effort led to the creation of detailed plans and construction manuals for the prototype of our standard aquaponics training system, which was to be implemented in the Living Labs. Less than a year later, construction had already begun.
Our Standard Aquaponics Training System
was implemented in all Living Labs by the on-site team in collaboration with APM, initially with online support and later with on-site assistance. Alongside this, training sessions on the operation and management of the systems were conducted, as well as bilateral discussions on next steps and solutions to any problems encountered. The goal is to develop a product line (Minimum Viable Product, or MVP) for the Living Labs, which will undergo an iteration phase for further development and gradual improvement over the course of the project. The images in the Living Lab fotos section show the standard aquaponics training system in operation.
Design Overview of Our Standard Aquaponics Training System (Grafik: APM)
Sedimentation Filter of Our Standard Aquaponics Training System (Graphics/Photos: APM)
Setup of the 8 Living Labs
didn’t take too long, as by December 2023 all of them were fully equipped and operational. In addition to the greenhouses with the already running aquaponics training systems, the necessary infrastructure for on-site training is now also in place. This means that each laboratory is equipped with training rooms, presentation technology, and internet access, all located in close proximity to the aquaponics and hydroponics training facilities, making learning there very effective.
Each Living Lab uses an individual combination of prototypes from various circular agricultural technologies. These include, in addition to aquaponics, the production of insect larvae (Black Soldier Fly, BSF), as well as the combination of poultry farming with hydroponics (bioponics) and various cultivation methods in hydroponic systems. For more information and images of the Living Labs, please visit the project page in the Knowledge Hub. Knowledge Hub.
Here are some impressions from the Living Labs.
University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana
Aglobe Development Center (ADC), Lagos, Nigeria
University of Ibadan (UI), Nigeria, General Assembly (Foto: Michael Reuter)
Kenyatta University (KU), Nairobi, Kenia (Foto: Ingo Bläser)
University of Egerton, Nakuru, Kenia (Foto: Ingo Bläser)
Workshop in the green house of the Living Lab at Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenia (Foto: Ingo Bläser)
Aquaponics training system in the greenhouse of the Living Lab at Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya (Photo: Ingo Bläser)
In the 'Love Cage,' mating and egg-laying of the Black Soldier Fly (BSF) take place, also in the Living Lab at Egerton University. (Photo: Ingo Bläser)
The co-creation process (collaborative development process) has begun.
APM has now initiated the co-creation process with the Living Labs
The first two iterations of the joint MVP development were based on the experiences of the Living Labs with the standard training system. Together, solutions were developed, discussed, and evaluated for issues observed during system operation. Over the course of two consecutive iterations, problems with the original design of the sedimentation filter in the aquaculture section of the aquaponics training system were resolved.
Depending on their equipment, the local Living Labs also created documentation of the processes they carried out. For example, the reproduction and production of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae were documented in the Living Lab at Egerton University (Kenya), while at Aglobe Development (ADC, Nigeria), the setup and management of a snail culture were recorded.
Workshops and documentation are conducted in English or French, depending on local needs.
Capacity Building – Developing Skills on Site
Three ToT workshops for capacity building on site were conducted in Tamale, Ghana (UDS), Nakuru, Kenya (EGE), and Franceville, Gabon (USTM). Under the leadership of ZHAW, APM, SF Africa, and BGU participated in the program aimed at building local capacities. The meetings also provided the opportunity to visit local agricultural projects and engage in discussions with the operators. Additionally, market visits were part of the meetings, giving all participants an overview of the available agricultural products and their prices.
Joint Workshops on Site
The 'Training of Trainers' (ToT) workshops on site were conducted by ZHAW with the participation of APM. This made it possible to further optimize the aquaponics training system, which was built in part for the ToT programs. Important aspects of system design and construction were incorporated into ZHAW's curriculum. The aquaponics training program within the workshops was conducted by APM.
Some Living Labs, such as those in Lagos (Aglobe Development), the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, and Tamale, Ghana (UDS), have begun regular capacity-building activities for potential innovation actors. For example, these could be farmers from the surrounding areas. The Living Lab in Tamale (UDS) is already involving potential innovation actors in its regular activities to familiarize them with the prototypes and collect feedback for the iteration process. Most Living Labs are currently in the onboarding phase. Once a sufficient number of innovation actors are on board, regular capacity-building workshops will be initiated.
Our Online Workshops
APM has developed a comprehensive online workshop titled 'Basic Engineering of Aquaponics – Small Scale System Components, Principles, and Practices' as part of the INCiTiS-FOOD project and conducted trial runs with the first Living Labs. The goal of the workshops is to empower the Living Labs to independently develop and build variations of aquaponics systems together with the participants.
General Assembly in Ibadan, Nigeria
In February of this year, the project participants met for a general assembly in Ibadan, Nigeria (University of Ibadan). In addition to the comprehensive ToT curriculum, the workshop 'Simplified Hydroponic Systems' took place, focusing on hydroponics. The three-day workshop was organized and conducted by the University of Bologna (UNIBO). Alongside the highly illustrative theoretical component, four additional hydroponic system examples were constructed, some of which consist of empty PET bottles or other free and widely available materials. These systems are now part of the Living Lab in Ibadan.
We are thrilled with the progress we have made so far in the INCiTiS-FOOD project alongside our partners. We are particularly pleased with the interest and active participation of our African partners, as well as the speed at which we are moving forward together. The collaboration has provided us with valuable experiences and insights, demonstrating how innovative agricultural technologies and sustainable solutions can be realistically integrated. We look forward to continuing on this path and achieving our goals together.
This project has received funding from the European Union´s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. GA No. 101083790.
