On Saturday, 15 March 2025, our SAT Farmer Training Centre in Vianzi welcomed over 100 visitors eager to explore innovative agroecological practices. Among the attendees were farmers, local government officials, representatives from various organizations, and academics from institutions such as Sokoine University of Agriculture and the Muslim University of Morogoro. The Open Day provided an opportunity to learn about our Integrated Aqua-Agriculture System – a sustainable farming model that integrates fish farming, chicken keeping, and horticultural crop cultivation.

Learning the Theory

Visitors were welcomed to the FTC’s lecture hall by SAT Director, Janet Maro. During the presentations, visitors heard about the principles of agroecology and the importance of biodiversity in ecological agriculture, highlighting its role in enhancing resilience and sustainability. A special focus was given to the aqua-agriculture system and Living Lab 3. Living Lab 3 is a key component of the Horizon Europe-funded project “Potentials for Agroecological Practices in East Africa with a Focus on Circular Water-Energy-Nutrient Systems” (PrAEtiCe). This initiative is implemented by a consortium of 16 organizations committed to advancing sustainable agriculture.

Angelina Mbele, the crop manager, explained the ongoing research, which compared the yield of vegetables such as onions and Swiss chard under different irrigation sources: fishpond water enriched with chicken manure, fishpond water with regular fish feed, and standard water. Results showed significantly higher yields with nutrient-rich pond water compared to plain water, though differences between manure-enriched and feed-enriched pond water were minimal, depending on crop nitrogen preferences.

Attendees were also introduced to our photovoltaic system, including floating solar panels, which serve dual purposes: generating electricity where public power is unavailable and creating shaded, sheltered areas that enhance fish well-being. Furthermore, the floating solar panels save space.

The livestock manager, Godfrey Lukwale, further elaborated on animal health management and the interconnectivity of system components, demonstrating how this closed-loop model ensures nothing goes to waste.

Putting Theory into Practice

The visitors then moved outdoors to witness the aqua-agriculture system in action. The tour featured:

• How nutrient-rich fishpond water, enriched with chicken manure, improves crop growth.
• The aeration process that maintains optimal fish health.
• The floating solar panels, which not only generate electricity but also create shade for fish, optimizing space utilization.
• The thriving maize fields, benefiting from sustainable irrigation techniques.
• A highlight of the visit was a hands-on session where participants mixed ingredients to produce high-quality fish feed.

The event concluded with a wonderful lunch and a lively discussion on sustainable farming, agroecology, and the future of agriculture, fostering knowledge exchange and collaborative insights.

Participant Reactions

Many visitors found the experience eye-opening. Here’s what some had to say:

"The aqua-agriculture system is a new technology I had never seen before. The research comparing irrigation with fishpond water and normal water is very impressive." - Mary Nkwabi, Livestock Officer, Mvomero District

"I heard that in organic agriculture, nothing is wasted, and I wanted to see it for myself. Now I’ve witnessed how even chicken manure is used to enrich pond water. I want to go back and encourage other farmers to practice organic agriculture." - Mwajuma Kizoka, Farmer

"I was curious about sustainable fishing. Today, I learned how resources are recycled and reused, allowing farmers to do two things at once: fishing and farming." - Mary Makambuya, Agriculture Student at SUA

Looking Ahead

This Open Day was a big success and reinforced the importance of knowledge-sharing in advancing agroecological practices. The enthusiasm of participants highlights a growing commitment to sustainable farming solutions that enhance productivity while safeguarding natural resources. Due to the huge interest in participation, we plan to offer another Open Day later this year.

For more details on the Integrated Aqua-Agriculture System, visit https://www.kilimo.org/blog/integrated-aqua-agriculture-system.

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