Aquaponics system donated to youth centre
KANGNAS Wind Farm recently handed over an aquaponics system to the Namaqua Child and Youth Care Centre as part of an eco-school initiative.
The initiative has the potential to enhance food security, as well as develop skills, with 14 participants receiving accredited advanced training through its implementation.
Although fully funded by Kangnas Wind Farm, the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Environment, Rural Development and Land Reform to pilot Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices within the Namakwa District.
The economic development manager at Kangnas Wind Farm, Rouchet Daniels, explained that the aquaponics system, being a specialised food-producing system, will contribute to sustainable food gardening to supplement the centre’s kitchen food supply.
“Moreover, this will enhance the children's skill-set by displaying biological principles in a practical manner and improve their understanding of business studies,” said Daniels.
A total of six staff members and eight youths at the centre received advanced training in Sustainable and Commercial Aquaponics, facilitated by Aquapro Training & Research Academy, adding to the impact of this initiative.
Topics covered in the advanced accredited training programme include Working of Aquaponics, Advantages of Aquaponics, Disadvantages of Aquaponics, and The System Location.
The training co-ordinator for NCYCC Education, Irvine Cloete, said that what makes the project even more special for the centre is that three youths, who have been champions of the centre's traditional eco-school garden, were also enrolled in the three-day Advanced Aquaponics training course.
“With the maturing of the aquaponics system, the centre is looking to nurture more staff into the Aquapro mentorship programme within the next six months.
“The project also aims to produce fish and crops for the centre's kitchen,” said Cloete.
One of the participants, a 17-year-old, expressed how blessed he felt to form part of the programme.
“I was very happy that I was chosen to be part of the training. I enjoyed learning more about the plants and seeing how smoothly the aquaponics system worked. One day, I would like to own my own aquaponics system so that I can support my community and create job opportunities in the process,” said the beneficiary.