Under both programmes, USDA purchases US-grown commodities and provides them to implementing organisations, including the United Nations World Food Programme. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

In an attempt to strengthen global food security, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) would be investing US$466.5mn through its two premier international development programmes

The announcement which was made at the Clinton Global Initiative 2024 annual meeting, Vilsack explained about the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Programme which would be allocated US$248mn in fiscal year 2024 to support projects in nine countries that will provide critical school meals and boost literacy and primary education, especially for girls. On the other hand, the Food for Progress programme would be provided with US$218.5mn to help seven countries strengthen their agricultural systems, adopt climate smart technologies, sustainably increase productivity and expand international trade.

Under both programmes, USDA purchases US-grown commodities and provides them to implementing organisations, including the United Nations World Food Programme. Food for Progress implementing partners sell the commodities locally and use the proceeds to support local development projects. McGovern-Dole partners use the commodities directly in school feeding programmes. 

This year, USDA will provide more than 37,000 mt of US commodities to support projects in Angola, Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea-Bissau, Laos, Malawi and Rwanda, benefitting approximately 1.2 million children and their family members in more than 2,800 pre-primary and primary schools. 

The Food for Progress projects funded this year will utilize 315,000 mt of US commodities and ultimately benefit nearly 200,000 farmers in Benin, Cambodia, Madagascar, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Tunisia and will focus on priority topics including climate-smart agriculture, food security, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, access to capital and trade facilitation.

“The McGovern-Dole and Food for Progress programmes are the embodiment of USDA’s multi-faceted approach to combatting hunger and poverty and addressing the effects of the climate crisis worldwide,” Vilsack said. “Teaming up with both private- and public-sector partners, we’re not only providing direct food assistance, but also fostering sustainable agricultural productivity growth, promoting climate-smart agriculture and enhancing developing countries’ ability to engage in trade, which is critical to food security.”

For sub-Saharan African countries, SPACE will once again be a unique event and a valuable driver of growth. (Image source: SPACE)

The 38th edition of SPACE will take place from 17-19 September at the Rennes Exhibition Centre in France

This year, SPACE 2024 promises to be a premier event for the agricultural sector, attracting more than 1,200 exhibitors, 100,000 visitors from 120 countries, more than 100 conferences, a platform for innovations, special events for young professionals, an Espace for the Future to explore forward-thinking tools, job dating events and top buyers from around the world.

One key theme at SPACE this year is attracting a new generation of farmers, essential to sustaining this key industry in France. SPACE 2024 aims to provide farmers with a comprehensive range of ideas and solutions to improve succession planning, farm sales and acquisitions and enhance the overall attractiveness of agricultural careers, ensuring that livestock farmers can thrive. Energy transition, food sovereignty and generational renewal will be the main themes at SPACE this week. 

For sub-Saharan African countries, SPACE will once again be a unique event and a valuable driver of growth. Delegations from Benin, Togo, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal and others will attend to explore solutions for developing their food independence.

The Tech’Agri Challenge by INNOV’SPACE also returns for its second edition. This year’s challenge includes both a demonstrator category and an ideation category. Five solutions will be presented at the Expo in Hall 3, with teams showcasing their projects. A panel of professionals will judge the projects and select the winners of the 2024 competition. A number of animal presentations and conferences will also take place, giving a unique opportunity for the agricultural community to gain insight about important issues.

Thanks to the diverse range of suppliers showcasing equipment and services for all aspects of animal farming, SPACE is a global meeting point for livestock farmers from around the world.

To achieve economic sustainability, specific technical challenges should be addressed. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

While sustainable food production through aquaponic systems is promising, achieving economic sustainability requires the addressing of specific technical challenges, writes Saurabh Maral

Sustainable food production through aquaponic systems is promising. Consegic Business Intelligence analyses that the aquaponics market size is growing with a CAGR of 10.8% during the forecast period (2023-2031), and is projected to be valued at US$2,151.97mn by 2031. The following are the major areas that should be carefully examined for the proper functioning of the systems and to ensure that they are profitable:

Balancing nutrient supply and demand

One of the biggest issues in aquaponics is to make the waste of fish nutrient producers in the same way as plants need it. Fish produce waste as ammonia, which is converted to nitrites and nitrates by bacteria. Besides, plants rely on these compounds to grow, though the unbalance can lead to poor nutrient use or else toxic conditions for fish. A multi-stage biofiltration system will be a successful part of the process of the plant requirements with the desired quality of biofertiliser. Both the bacteria conversion part and the phytoplankton assimilation part from plants should be framed within the biofiltration and recycling of the waste in the closed aquatic ecosystem.

Maintaining water quality

Quality of water is very critical for the well-being of both fish and plants. However, critical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature should be constantly monitored to prevent any growth issues or mortality in the system. Water monitoring systems that are automated with sensors can provide data in real time and make adjustments as necessary. On the other hand, incorporating machine learning algorithms allows predictive maintenance to take place, thus, reducing the risk of system failure. Additionally, water testing on a regular basis, along with filter maintenance, also plays a huge role in maintaining smooth operation. 

Energy efficiency

Aquaponic systems can require a lot of power because of water pumping, aeration, and temperature control. Eroding the profit margin through high energy bills makes energy efficiency a crucial element of sustainability. Energy-conservation equipment such as variable-speed pumps, which are quiet and can be run at different speeds, and high-efficiency aerators can significantly save energy. Besides this, companies can also contribute to absorbing energy costs by employing solar panels and optimising the system design so that water traveling distance would be minimised to lower energy consumption.

Fish and plant species selection

For the aquaponic system to be successful, it is important the appropriate fish and plants are chosen as not all of them are suitable for such kind of systems. The fish that are going to be introduced into the system need to be sturdy because sometimes water conditions can be less than ideal. Also, the plants should get their nutrients from the fish waste. Tilapia, catfish, and trout are the species of fish that are widely used for their robustness, while leafy greens and herbs like lettuces and basil are plants that are particularly recommended. Small-scale trials on different species arrangements will give the combination of plants and fish that will result in the best performance of the system.

Scaling the system economically

The project of upgrading a layer that grows in the system of aquaponics to a commercial level conduces to the augmentation of the complexity in front of high upfront costs, increased production of labour, and more complex system dynamics. The goal of achieving economies of scale without a decrease in the sustainability of the system is of utmost importance. The modular system design helps scale down the size of the farm gradually while at the same time reducing the risks and the initial investment. Automation of the main processes in the life cycle such as feeding, water circulation, and environmental control will minimise labeling work. Data-based tools for analysing the performance of the systems guarantee scalability and constant yield development.

Conclusion

To attain a profitable aquaponic model, it is imperative to deal with main difficulties like nutrient balance, water quality, energy efficiency, species selection, and system scalability. By employing innovative biofiltration systems, automation technologies, power-efficient building components, and data-centric decision support systems, managers will be able to get the most out of the system at the same time as reducing operating expenditures. By means of such approaches, aquaponics promises to be a sustainable food production method that is environmentally friendly and economically sound for the long term.

Farmer Safiyo Mohamud Said picks maize on her Puntland farm. (Image source: WFP)

Helping to power the change – and the resilience of hundreds of smallholder farmers like Warsame – is a World Food Programme (WFP)-supported project aimed at boosting agriculture and incomes

Known as Kobciye, the initiative provides 3,000 farmers in three Somali states – Puntland, Jubaland, Galmudug – equipment such as tractors, solar-powered water pump systems and fencing. In partnership with the Government of Somalia, it gives them the tools to better cope with climate challenges, opens up new livelihood opportunities such as food processing and improves their access to markets.

Agriculture is gaining ground even in the driest parts of the country – like semi-arid Puntland, which faces other nature-based threats, from locust infestations to flash floods. In the central Somali region of Galmudug, with the same dry conditions as Puntland, the Kobciye project gives communities access to water through a broad approach that includes drip irrigation and boreholes, and factors in land use, vegetation and other environmental concerns.

“Through the project, we are not just providing tools and training – we are empowering communities to believe in the potential of their land and their ability to produce food sustainably,” said WFP country director, El-Khidir Daloum. “This shift in mindsets is key to securing a food-secure future for Somalia.”