Cost-effective aquaponic solutions for developing farmers in Rwanda.

Abstract

In Rwanda, 1million+ smallholder farmers who wish to provide a nutritious protein and plant-based diet while increasing yields to support economic growth are limited by: high capital costs for high yield solutions, basic farming techniques, lack of food security and consistent rainfall, few routes to market, and a dependency trap reliant on other solutions. NjordFrey (NF), offers these farmers access to sustainably designed aquaponic starter kits via an outgrower model, seasonal input product lines (e.g. seeds & fingerlings), operational training to become independent, and facilitate routes to market. In collaboration with University of West of Scotland (UWS) this project develops a digital farm health monitoring system with a high-tech back end (distributed sensing and data analytics framework) with low-tech front end approach (sms/voice call) to feedback actions to farmers in an inclusive manner. This provides NF with a data driven product to capture market share in Rwanda,removes high up-front costs and technical barriers, provides increased yields of organic produce, increases calorie intake by 28% and income by 4-fold for up to 80,000 farmers and their families, via 2,000+ farms within 10 years. Tackling malnutrition to improve livelihoods through this model is an innovative first within Rwanda.

Lead Participant

Project Cost

Grant Offer

 

Participant

UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND

Publications

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