This system is aimed at achieving the food sovereignty promoted by the Ivorian government.
“By presenting this FAO system, we want to contribute to achieving food sovereignty, which means being able to produce what we consume,” the Fish4ACP Program Manager at FAO Cote d’Ivoire, Djiré Foungnigué explained.
At a stand at the Abidjan Agriculture and Animal Resources Exhibition (SARA 2023), Ms. Foungnigué is showing visitors the benefits of aquaponics, a system developed by FAO that combines fish production with market gardening.
Aquaponics is a method of growing fish and plants in the same system. The waste produced by the fish is used by the plants as a source of nutrients, providing a healthy environment for the fish.
This innovation, supported by the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), aims to provide a sustainable solution to the problem of food security in Cote d’Ivoire.
“If every Ivorian can produce their own fish (along with vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, chili peppers, cabbage and lettuce), we can achieve food sovereignty,” Ms. Foungnigué said.
She pointed out, however, that “it’s a professional activity, although we’re seeing a growing interest in this system among the local population. Operators can practice aquaponics on a commercial or family scale.”
To master this method of fish farming combined with horticulture, the attitude to adopt “is to start by getting trained to master all the nuts and bolts of production,” she advised.
To promote this system, FAO has stepped up training for fish farmers, especially those who want to set up in business, to boost national production of fish products.
AP/lb/abj/APA