In today's episode, we welcome Faris Farrag of Bustan Aquaponics who is stirring up an aquaponics movement in Egypt. A former banker turned aquapreneur, Faris is pioneering a movement in aquaponics while hoping to see a rising movement in the rest of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. His interest in aquaculture and food has led him to enroll at Dr. James Rakocy's course in the University of the Virgin Islands which further inspired him to stay in Egypt and break ground on the farm that he currently has today.
Listen in as Faris talks about the different produce they're growing in the system, how the market has responded to their aquaponic system, and keeping up with the momentum. Faris also brings into our discussion the ins and outs of organic certifications as well as reclaiming the language by putting the responsibility on producers using chemical products. We delve into the biggest issue concerning re-circulating fish farms and how to deal with it using biofiltration systems.
Faris describes the organic food movement in Africa in terms of traceability, the current trends affected by water scarcity, and a look into their permaculture-integrated farming, net-zero waste through efficient reuse and recycling of everything in the system through an amazing deep irrigation network
We also talk about renewable energies, passive solar water heaters, and heat diffusion system as well as the solar desalination process and purification through mirroring. Faris gives a comprehensive description of their actual UVI-based aquaponics system while using 80-90% less water than more traditionally land-based agriculture as a water-based system in the desert.
More topics on sand as excellent base media and composting, the need for integrating technology into natural farming systems, genetic modification and localizing seeds, sustainable fishing and value-added products, and having an al fresco dinner at Faris' pop-up restaurant which is just super cool!
Lastly, we talk about the marketing and the financial side of the business covering intellectual property design systems and online delivery service in Egypt. Really listen into some solid marketing and financial planning strategies and the importance of localizing the food movement amidst the challenges of logistics and bureaucracies.