The agricultural sector is central to sustaining employment opportunities, fostering economic growth, reducing poverty and improving food security in South Africa. The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), in collaboration with Fine Bubble Technologies (Pty) Ltd launched a nano bubble aquaponics pilot plant, an integration of aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics, at De Grendel School of Skills in Cape Town on Friday, 23 August 2024. The pilot plant is to demonstrate the use of nano bubble technology to enhance the efficiency of water, oxygen uptake and nutrient delivery in aquaponics, thus reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Fine Bubble Technologies (Pty) Ltd are pioneers in natural water treatment. Through their locally developed and patented nano bubble generators, they have developed unique aquaponics systems that exemplify the integration of advanced science and indigenous knowledge to promote economic growth and social development. The patented nanotechnology is revolutionising the aquaponics industry with a natural cleaning process that aerates water at a rate of 222 million bubbles per 1ml of water, a first in the water treatment industry. The wide range of applications of the nano bubble technology include agriculture, aquaculture/aquaponics, medical cleaning and water purification.
The development of the technology was also co-funded by DSI through the Agriculture Bioeconomy Innovation Partnership Programme (ABIPP). ABIPP is an instrument of the DSI, established to support the agricultural bioeconomy. It facilitates, coordinates and funds multiinstitutional, multi-stakeholder and co funded agricultural bioeconomy initiatives contributing to increased productivity, food security and rural economic development.
The pilot plant is at a larger scale than the Phase I funded by DSI, where it was demonstrated that the nanobubble technology increased productivity by up to 50% in both the aquaculture and hydroponic operations. This was a great achievement because common challenges faced in hydro- and aquaponic systems are pathogenic presence within the water and insufficient oxygen levels which hamper productivity. Additionally, systems currently available for introduction of ambient air/oxygen within aquaculture and aquaponics in the market are costly and remain inefficient. These high costs present the challenge of high start-up capital creating a barrier to entry for small, upcoming and subsistence farmers.
The current phase of the project (aquaponics pilot plant), located at De Grendel School of Skills, seeks to demonstrate an aquaponics system that lead to viable and franchisable business model when operated with nanobubble technology. The benefit for this technology diffusion to the school is that the produce from the pilot will be used for school meals and the surplus sold to the local community.
“The installation at De Grendel School of Skills stands as a testament to the potential of bioinnovation to drive economic growth, improve human health, and create sustainable, prosperous communities. TIA supports innovations geared at harnessing the wealth of natural and intellectual resources in alignment with the DSI Bioeconomy strategy. Additionally, Fine Bubble Technologies (Pty) Ltd is a shining example of how innovative solutions can address the multifaceted goals of the Bio-economy Strategy.
“By involving local communities in the development and maintenance of the aquaponics system at De Grendel School of Skills, Fine Bubble Technologies is enabling access to the technology, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment,” said Mr Sibusiso Manana, Head of Agriculture at TIA.
The aquaculture plant at the school has been well received by the principal and staff. The principal, Mr Smith expressed his pleasure at the installation, saying that it has been enthusiastically received by the learners at the skills school. Officials from the District office of the Western Cape Department of Education in attendance were keen to explore how this could be rolled out to other schools and communities.