Report of the FAO Technical Workshop on Advancing Aquaponics through Strengthened Value Chains. Christ Church, Barbados, 11 - 14 December 2018

Report of the FAO Technical Workshop on Advancing Aquaponics through Strengthened Value Chains. Christ Church, Barbados, 11 - 14 December 2018

Editor

FAO ;

Descripción

A technical training workshop on advancing aquaponics was held in Christ Church, Barbados, in the period 11–14 December 2018. Twenty seven international participants were present from seven countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago). This activity was supported under two UN FAO-funded projects: Towards a Caribbean Blue Revolution and Climate Change Adaptation in the Eastern Caribbean Fisheries Sector Project (CC4FISH). The four-day workshop was convened by FAO and consisted of lectures, participatory group sessions and hands-on activities supported by aquaponics and value chain experts from FAO and supported by local subject matter experts and other contributors. The workshop concluded with several findings and recommendations. Technical production is strong among the farmers present; however, incoming farmers need technical backstopping and training programmes for basic production technologies. There are no more than 10–20 aquaponic farmers in any Caribbean country, of which only 1–5 are commercially oriented. Access, availability and affordability of inputs are the biggest blocking issues to further development of the aquaponic sector. Based on two case studies, the profit is between 8–15 percent of the yearly operating expenses and the return on investment to payback the capital expenses is 10–20 years. Fish sales were higher than vegetable sales in the two farms by a factor of 2:1, although not all farmers take advantage of the fish sales. No farmers reported problems with sales; indeed most farmers believe that markets can absorb increased production, but comprehensive market analyses were recommended. Considering the similarities among farms in this region, it was suggested to create the Caribbean Aquaponic Association, an informal network to share information and lessons among practitioners.