Parsley, onions, mint and tomatoe update on aquaponics

Here are some updates on the aquaponic system in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Parsley, onions, mint and tomatoes are growing well... Looking forward to sell the parsley from the NFT system to a nearby restaurant soon!

Aquaponic parsley growing in the NFT system

Tomato plant harvested, one tomatoe still left!!!

Real onions and mint growing in the media bed.

Tomatoes are a real opportunity due to their demand and high market price

Pepper plant having plenty of mealy bugs but still bearing fruit. The pepper was an imported hybrid variety. next time we go with the local seeds!

Harvesting tomatoes and corn from aquaponic

It is harvest time: After 2 months of growth we can harvest the first tomatoes and corn from the aquaponic system. With the aquaponic technology we are able to produce vegetables, like tomatoes and corn throughout the year without depending on the season. Stay tuned.

Fresh tomatoes harvested from the aquaponic system

A huge tomatoe plant growing and bearing many tomatoes

Tomatoes in the aquaponic system is a good source of income and own supply

Building a wooden rack where the tomatoe plants can grow on it

Fresh parsley in the NFT aquaponic system

Large corn (maize) performs well in the aquaponic system

Since we have the NFT system, we never bought parsley again on the market

Young hot pepper seedlings in the media beds.

Our aquaponic garden in Freetown

Aquaponic system in Sierra Leone for vegetables and tilapia rearing

The aquaponic system is producing various herbs and vegetables as well as delicious Tilapia fish, which are a good source of protein. Aquaponic is a good way of mitigating the high food costs in aquaculture by providing extra income from the plants. Furthermore aquaponic systems act as a cost safer, when it comes to filtration: Whilst in traditional aquaculture, filtration to remove nitrates and toxins from the system is an expensive task, also, because of the amount of fresh water to be exchanged in order to maintain water quality. In an aquaponic system, plants act as a bio filter by removing the ammonia and nitrates from the system, while providing extra income for the farmers and also safe fresh water. Aquaponic is a good and sustainable farming solution for Sierra Leone, to provide high quality organic food to people.

Aquaponic system with corn and tomoatoes thriving

DIY fish feed formulation using moringa leaves is beneficial for the fish. The fish feaces provide nutrients for the plants.

Using an underwater camera to assess the health of the tilapia broodstock

Tomatoes growing on gravel media bed

Parsley, tomatoe seedlings and spring onions growing in soilless NFT system

Corn showing fast growth in the gravel media bed

Parsley and carrots growing in the NFT system

Sweet potatoe leaves re-growth after first harvest: Aquaponic allows continoues harvest throughout the dry season

Tomatoes starting to bulb. On;y a few more weeks to harvest.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATIONS ON AQUAPONIC!

Aquaponic system update: Tubers and maize performing well

Our latest update on the growth of our plants in the aquaponic system: Tomatoes, maize, parsley and sweet potatoes showing strong growth. A suprise was the performance of the sweet potatoes, which are tubers with excess leave growth. Sweet potatoes are a staple diet for many Sierra Leoneans, better know locally as "petete lif". Aquaponic tuber production might be an option to counteract extreme high food prices of foods like potatoe leaves in Sierra Leone. 

Aquaponic tubers and maize showing fast growth

The media beds with various nutrituos plants: Tomatoes, corn, sweet potatoes, carrots and ginger.

Tomatoes starting to bulb fruits.

Second harverst for the parsley growing in the NFT system

Pruned moringa tree for strong leave production: Moringa as an excellent substitute for fish feed.

Inside Aquaponics in Africa

Aquaponics production methods is a combination of aquaculture and hydroponic plant production in a closed cycle. Aquaponics is considered to be a highly sustainable grow system that can grow a wide range of plants and rear nutritious fish at the same time. After 5 weeks from restarting our aquaponic system in Sierra Leone we can see both plants and fish growing fast. In order to feed the fish, we use a self made feed formulation consisting of dried fish, moringa leaves, rice bran and vegetable oil. The fodder makes both plants and fish grow well.

Aquaponic require no soil: Plants grow on granite gravel only

Tubers like sweet potato grow well in aquaponic media bed: Potato leaf in Sierra Leone is a main diet for people

The aquaponic system: Growing maize, ginger, salad, peas, tomatoes, onions, sweet potato and parsley

Parsley is highly expensive in local markets in Sierra Leone. Aquaponic is a great way of making profit in a short time.

Peas, ginger and carrots growing in a media bed on granite gravel stone.

rearing tomato seedlings in the aquaponic system

Young salad seedlings

Once the aquaponic system is cycled, enough nutrients are provided for optimal plant growth

Using an underwater camera to see the Tilapia growing

Indegenous Tilapia from Sierra Leone

The feed formulation is beneficial to the overall health of the fish

Salone Aquaponic system with new tilapia stock and new vegetables started

In order to have a high producing aquaponic system a constant power supply is needed.
The aquaponic system with a new stock of Tilapia (oreochromis niloticus) is beginnig to grow back with new vegetables. The aquaponic system is currently growing parsley, salad, tomatoes, onions, mint, peas, ginger, rice, pineapple, basil and carrots. After installing a solar panel and a battery back up, to sustain prolonged powercuts the system is able to revive productivity throughout the year. Aquaponic has great potential in Africa to produce high class vegetables regionally and cost efficient. Stay tuned for more aquaponic news soon.

Rice seedlings and a pineapple sucker growing in the aquaponic media grow bed

Peas and carrots growing

Young salad seedlings

Parsley is extremly valuable in Sierra Leone and has a high market price

Adding a 100 watts solar panel to power the 10 watts pump on cloudy skies during rainy season

A solar charger and back up battery to sustain power cuts in the aquaponic system

New stock of Tilapia for the aquaponic system

Aquaponic farming and fish breeding in Sierra Leone