Urban aquaponic fish and vegetable farming in Sierra Leone

Growing local green leaves (cren cren) in the NFT system

80 holes NFT system for continous production of leafy greens

Tomatoes thriving in the aquaponic system. The system deliver enough nutrients for the nutrient demanding tomatoes.

We have planted a young cocoa seedling, which we found behind our house. As we can see, the tree has started to produce fresh leaves. This is the first cocoa tree that grows in an aquaponic system.

Peanuts growing well in the aquaponic system

The tilapia have breeded and now we have many youg fish in our tank.

Ginger is growing

Tomatoes growing through NFT system

Young pepper seedlings

The aquaponic system. A total of 8 square meter growing space and 250 liter fish tank. We have put the NFT system on top of the gravel beds to save space and maximise growing space.

Tilapia and catfish produce the nutrients for the plants to grow

Looking forward to harvest sweet water melon in a few months.

Salone Aquaponic receives aquaponic manual from FAO

Salone aquaponic staff Rachel Kamara (right) and Hawa Kargbo with Aquaponic manual sent by FAO

A second floor was added to the system, for the NFT system

Any interested party or person can download the manual from the FAO homepage under the following link:

www.fao.org/3/a-i4021e/i4021e00.pdf

Urban aquaponic system shows fast growth of vegetables

Sweet bell pepper showing fast growth. 2 more weeks till harvest!

The urban aquaponic system with various vegetable varieties.

Water melon seedlings coming up.

Urban farming aquaponic kit for food security and improved nutrition

The constructions for the bigger urban farming aquaponic kit are nearly completed. The total costs of the kit including workmanship are 429 USD; all materials could be sourced locally.

Newly transplanted chili peppers in the NFT-system

Organic insecticide: The praying mantis!

The urban farming aquaponic kit: An efficient way to produce delicious food in urban areas

Shade net for aquaponic system enhances plant growth

The net filters the light and lowers the temperature which creates a good growing environment for the plant.

As the dry season approaches, the sun get extremly hot so therefore plants need to be protected. In the coming week we will create a shade tent for our aquaponic system. 

A shading net creates a microclimate and prevents the strong sun to harm the plants.

Urban aquaponic farming for food security

Fish tank and media bed with plants growing

Adding a new species to the system: A catfish, "Schilbeidae" family

8 sqare meter growing space: Media beds and NFT-system

Urban aquaponic farming: Soilless and landless, but productive!

Upscaling the aquaponic system
We are currently upscaling our aquaponic system for more production. In total we will have 8 square meter of growing space, and 500 liter water volume. Various growing methods are applied, such as media beds, NFT-pipe system as well as a raft system to raise seedlings. 

The aquaponic system get additional tanks and pipes

Connecting the pipes and tanks

 Wood is used for the foundation of the growbeds and tanks

Plumbing the overflow to feed the growbeds