FAO-Funded Aquaponics Project Launched In Barbados Barbados GIS – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has collaborated with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, and local business Adams Aquafarms, on a project to train persons in aquaponics. Aquaponics is a sustainable way of integrating land-based fish farming with plant production. Both are placed in a tank, and the set up allows for them to coexist, with the waste produced by the fish fertilizing the plants, while the plants purify the water for the fish. The training, funded by the FAO, will take place at a demonstration facility, located at Adams Aquafarms, Hopewell, St. Thomas. The FAO is currently targeting 30 entrepreneurs and 10 teachers. Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey, believes the project will be “transformative”, as it has the potential to empower Barbadians. “In aquaponics, you have the opportunity to have, at the same time, multiple sources of income [because] you’re getting plant production and fish to eat,” he said, adding that he would like the project to be expanded to include the average Barbadian. Reiterating that the development of the fisheries and agricultural sectors were key in Government’s vision for a “new Barbados”, Minister Humphrey said aquaponics would be beneficial, especially to those who live in areas too limited for medium or large-scale farming. The FAO’s Regional Project Coordinator at CC4FISH, Iris Monnereau, expressed a similar view, pointing out the aquaponics was well-suited for Barbados and the wider Caribbean, in light of water scarcity and persistent drought conditions. “It uses 90 per cent less water than traditional forms of agriculture …. It is a very efficient form of agriculture. It also doesn’t use fertilizer and has the added benefit of producing fish,” Ms. Monnereau explained. She added that the project was part of the FAO’s vision to promote climate resilient farming, while ensuring the establishment and sustainability of profitable agribusinesses in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, owner of Adams Aquafarms, Kristina Adams, said she was pleased to partner with the Food and Agriculture Organization on the initiative. She was also optimistic about its success, noting that while there was growing interest in aquaponics, access to technical support locally was an obstacle for many. According to Ms. Adams, the training would take the form of a five-day workshop consisting of classroom and practical sessions. Adams Aquafarm utilizes 1,500 square feet of space to produce 1,000 plants and 800 pounds of fish. Ninety per cent of the equipment used is sourced locally. Similar technology is also being adapted in neighboring countries like in Dominica. Instructions Assume that your class group has been selected and hired by the FAO to manage this FAO Funded Aquaponics Project described in the article (above). Using expressed and implied information in the article, your project team is required to craft/develop some project documents and plans to help in the overall management of the Aquaponics Project, with specific focus on the components and question/statement listed below. 1. Develop a mini scope statement for the project.
FAO-Funded Aquaponics Project Launched In Barbados
Barbados GIS – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has
collaborated with the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, and local business
Adams Aquafarms, on a project to train persons in aquaponics.
Aquaponics is a sustainable way of integrating land-based fish farming with plant production.
Both are placed in a tank, and the set up allows for them to coexist, with the waste produced
by the fish fertilizing the plants, while the plants purify the water for the fish.
The training, funded by the FAO, will take place at a demonstration facility, located at
Adams Aquafarms, Hopewell, St. Thomas. The FAO is currently targeting 30 entrepreneurs
and 10 teachers.
Minister of Maritime Affairs and the Blue Economy, Kirk Humphrey, believes the project
will be “transformative”, as it has the potential to empower Barbadians.
“In aquaponics, you have the opportunity to have, at the same time, multiple sources of
income [because] you’re getting plant production and fish to eat,” he said, adding that he
would like the project to be expanded to include the average Barbadian.
Reiterating that the development of the fisheries and agricultural sectors were key in
Government’s vision for a “new Barbados”, Minister Humphrey said aquaponics would be
beneficial, especially to those who live in areas too limited for medium or large-scale
farming.
The FAO’s Regional Project Coordinator at CC4FISH, Iris Monnereau, expressed a similar
view, pointing out the aquaponics was well-suited for Barbados and the wider Caribbean, in
light of water scarcity and persistent drought conditions.
“It uses 90 per cent less water than traditional forms of agriculture …. It is a very efficient
form of agriculture. It also doesn’t use fertilizer and has the added benefit of producing fish,”
Ms. Monnereau explained.
She added that the project was part of the FAO’s vision to promote climate resilient farming,
while ensuring the establishment and sustainability of profitable agribusinesses in the
Caribbean.
Meanwhile, owner of Adams Aquafarms, Kristina Adams, said she was pleased to partner
with the Food and Agriculture Organization on the initiative.
She was also optimistic about its success, noting that while there was growing interest in
aquaponics, access to technical support locally was an obstacle for many.
According to Ms. Adams, the training would take the form of a five-day workshop consisting
of classroom and practical sessions.
Adams Aquafarm utilizes 1,500 square feet of space to produce 1,000 plants and 800 pounds
of fish. Ninety per cent of the equipment used is sourced locally.
Similar technology is also being adapted in neighboring countries like in Dominica.
Instructions
Assume that your class group has been selected and hired by the FAO to manage this FAO
Funded Aquaponics Project described in the article (above). Using expressed and implied
information in the article, your project team is required to craft/develop some project
documents and plans to help in the overall management of the Aquaponics Project, with
specific focus on the components and question/statement listed below.
1. Develop a mini scope statement for the project.
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