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Barefoot Organics

Barefoot Organics operates a small-scale SAFF-Raft Aquaponics system in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The design provides for 1.7 tonnes of fish per annum and 8.7 tonnes of lettuce per annum and greatly simplifies the original closed-loop raft aquaponics system developed on the Virgin Is. by eliminating water pumps and the number of tank structures and separate water treatment tanks through effective design integration. The entire system runs on two 0.48kW (single phase) regenerative blowers delivering 84m-3 hr-1.

The standard closed-loop SAFF-Raft Aquaponics design features include the use of a single hydraulically efficient R-ended tank equipped with two SAFF 24 airlift aerators, the use of the SAFF One Tank Husbandry Approach to maximize Production : Capacity ratio’s (P:C ratio), enhance capacity utilization and fish yields while providing a more uniform nutrient loading for lettuce production.

The other novel feature is the use of SAFF’s signature pull-through water movement and recirculation design which reduces energy costs, eliminates water pumps (one plus back-up) and reduces capital expenditure. Closed-loop raft aquaponics at the scale operated by Barefoot Organics is suitable for research and product development and is ideally placed in the sub-tropics and warm arid regions adding a greenhouse enclosure.

SustAqua Fish Farms (Pty) Ltd

14 Branch Lane

Blairgowrie, 2625

Johannesburg

South Africa