The world population is growing rapidly and is predicted to reach 9 billion by 2037.  However, the rate at which population growth is taking place is expected to stagnate and decline globally by 2050, except in Africa where the population will double between 2050 and 2100 (United Nations 2019).  As a consequence of this rapid reproduction rate, Africa already has 1/5 of the world’s youth (aged less than 25 years).  It has also been determined that 68% of children in South Africa go to school without breakfast and 40% of South African children show symptoms of malnutrition (https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/650/206648.html) as poverty is rife.
 
Fish and vegetables are essential parts of a healthy, balanced diet and have been shown to aid cognitive development.  Unfortunately the average diet in Africa is based on sugars and starch, which are energy reach and inexpensive, but lacking in many of the essential nutritional components, especially for the diet of children.  Centuries ago we could grow our crops and hunt for animal protein sources, including fish.  Unfortunately, the old systems of farming simply cannot keep up with the rate at which the demand for food in increasing, as the amount of freshwater and arable land are finite.  Hunting has also been restricted with fishing being the only form of wild capture that is still practiced on a commercial scale.  Yet, fishing has reached maximum sustainable thresholds for most species and exceeded these levels for many others.  As such, we have to find new ways of producing the foods that are essential to our health and well being, especially in a rapidly growing continent where demand for food sources will keep increasing.
 
Aquaponics can provide really healthy fish and vegetable crops using minimal water and this can be done in areas that are too marginal for traditional agricultural methods.  As such, aquaponics is well suited to growing the fish and vegetables our children need in their diet to perform at school and take the African continent forward to 2050 and beyond. 

YouTube videos 
Our latest Aquaculture videos have been uploaded to YouTube.  Remember to subscribe to be automatically informed of future videos.
Self Study
We have also loaded our training material to the online shop for self study purposes.  In this way you can purchase the chapters you want to increase your knowledge in specific areas.
Online Store  
2nd hand fibreglass and plastic tanks For Sale
We are selling a selection of fibreglass and plastic fish tanks ex-Grahamstown.  Interested parties can email me for more information - first come first serve.
Aquaponics Webinars 
Aquaculture Innovations in partnership with Aquaculture Africa Magazine is hosting two Masterclass webinars on Aquaponics.  The two will be held a week apart and will follow on each other to provide comprehensive information on this fascinating topic.
 
19 Nov 2020:      Aquaponics Masterclass Chapter 1 will cover a background, advantages and disadvantages, principles, components, ratios, infrastructure, climate and tunnel environment. Register here.
 
26 Nov 2020:      Aquaponics Masterclass Chapter 2 will cover system management, water quality, additives, siphon functioning, temperature, planting schedules, stocking plans and pest control. Register here.
 
Aquaculture Farm for Sale
 
The Aquaculture Academy, Grahamstown is for sale.  The farm of 4.4ha has excellent quality water and has permits to farm trout, tilapia and catfish.  Currently we also farm cucumbers and other crops organically on the effluent water from the fish.  There are several bee hives, hand tame chickens and many pecan nut saplings.
 
The farm has a 5-bedroom main dwelling, a bed sitter and a large lecture facility / office complex.
 
The excellent schooling in Grahamstown is a huge drawcard as this farm affords an opportunity to live the lifestyle whilst your children obtain top schooling 1.3km from the farm.
 
Interested parties are invited to contact me on 083 4060 208.
 
Aquaculture Courses
 
The following Courses are scheduled to be held in Pretoria:
 
Commercial Aquaponics 8 & 9 February 2021
 
Fish Farm Management 10,11 & 12 February 2021

Practical Aquaculture Course 22-26 March 2021
 
Grab this opportunity to learn the practical aspects of fish farming; the doing rather than just the theory.
 
To obtain further information email us on info@aquaafrica.co.za.
  
Aquaculture Products for Sale
 
We offer a wide range of products to the Aquaculture Industry.  These products can be viewed and purchased from our secure online store at Aquaculture Store.
 

If you need anything that is not listed, drop me an email and I will attempt to source it for you.