Workshop
"Aquaponics - Introduction to Principles and Practices"
Theory and practice of sustainable plant breeding in symbiosis with fish
Workshop
Aquaponia
Introdução a Princípios e Práticas
18 e 19 de junho, Torres Vedras
What is it?
Learn how to grow delicious fresh and organic vegetables in symbiosis with fish. Aquaponics is an innovative technique of integrated cultivation of plants and fish. While the fish naturally fertilise the water, the aromatic, leafy or fruit plants extract these natural nutrients and grow healthily. It is the replication of a natural ecosystem in the service of a circular, more sustainable and healthy food production format.
Where and when?
The training will take place in person on June 18 and 19 at the following location:
Ecocampus Pólo 2
Rua da Estr. Militar – Escola Básica de Casal de Barbas, Turcifal – Torres Vedras
What does it include?
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14 hours of training in 2 days
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Theoretical and practical learning (with setting up a domestic aquaponics system)
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4 coffee-breaks
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Certificate of participation delivered at the end of the workshop
What is the timetable?
The schedule for the 2-day workshop is:
9:15 am to 6:00 pm
(free lunch between 12:45 pm and 2:30 pm).
Goals
The aim of this Introduction to Aquaponics workshop is to provide participants with knowledge about the main aquaponics techniques and methodologies, maintenance and production, getting the best out of this modern and sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture and agricultural techniques.
At the end of the training action, the trainees should know the concept of aquaponics and have basic theoretical and practical knowledge that will allow them to begin the practice of aquaponics at the domestic level, experimentally and as a basis for the commercial level.
Recipients
The workshop is aimed at agriculture and aquaculture professionals, researchers, businessmen, entrepreneurs, teachers, schoolchildren, students in the fields of biology, aquaculture and agronomy, aquarists and others interested in domestic or commercial food production. Due to the characteristics of this action, it is assumed that those interested envisage the practice of aquaponics at any scale of size, whether experimental, production for self-consumption or even commercialisation at a later stage.
Trainer
João Berkeley Cotter
Programmatic content
PROGRAMME INTRODUCTORY MODULE (14 H)
1. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
Introduction of trainers and trainees
Definition of the objectives of the training action
2. INTRODUCTION
What is aquaponics
History of aquaponics
Why aquaponics
Applicability of aquaponics
Benefits of aquaponics
Aquaponics in the world, Europe and Portugal
3. BASIC THEORETICAL PRINCIPLES
The biological cycle of aquaponics
Nitrogen cycle
4. THE PLANTS
Plant needs
Primary and secondary macro-nutrients and micronutrients
Cultivation of leafy plants vs. fruit crops
Germination
5. THE FAUNA
Brief notions of fish biology
The selection of species: options, advantages, disadvantages
Ornamental and non-ornamental
Food requirements (herbivores, omnivores and carnivores)
Common aquaculture species in aquaponics
6. LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR AQUAPONICS
Existing regulations and limitations
7. THE AQUAPONICS SYSTEM
Is aquaponics biological/organic?
Some physicochemical parameters
Main components of an aquaponics system
System options (DWC; NFT; grow beds; vertical)
8. EQUIPMENT FOR AQUAPONICS
Main equipment
9. AQUAPONICS SYSTEM SIZING
Balance between aquaculture and hydroponic production dimensioning
Feed
10. THE WORK OF THE ORGANISERS AND PARTNERS
Food4Sustainability (objectives, partners, projects and ongoing work)
Aquaponics Iberia (objectives, partners, projects and ongoing work)
Evolution perspectives of aquaponics
11. PRACTICAL COMPONENT
Analysis and interpretation of a working aquaponics system
Practical workshop for the construction of a small aquaponics system
Preparation of plants and seedlings for the aquaponics system
Organisation
Partnership
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