adminElton Manguwo
IN a clear demonstration of the rationality behind Government’s push for universities to adopt the 5.0 curriculum, Chinhoyi University of technology (CUT) has produced a prototype of a hydroponic farming system that juxtaposes bream production and green pepper farming, all within one water source.
Through its research and development in the Department of Fisheries and Fresh Water Science, CUT revealed that these innovations were a result of the need to respond to the climate that is continuously shifting towards uncertainty and fast becoming unpredictable and shaking the pillars supporting agriculture thereby affecting production.
Only smart agriculture innovativeness and practice can aid in mitigating these effects of climate change, CUT marketing and public relations manager Mr Gilford Chikuya observed recently at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare.
“Hydroponics is part of holistic farming systems, which is a framework that seeks to integrate farming systems, creating that symbiotic relationship whereby each farming component can aid in the development of another creating a sustainable cycle in the process,” he said.
Mr Chikuya further added that the hydroponic project was part of efforts to develop vertical agriculture systems, as they had various advantages such as higher productivity in a much smaller area and also saved time spent on planting.
The hydroponic system alleviates the problem of fertiliser sourcing as the waste produced by the bream is syphoned by the pepper plant with the plant taking in nitrogen while it filters the bream tank water clean.
Water is continuously recirculated in the hydroponic system resulting in significant water savings as traditional agriculture production is water intensive.
The prototype aims at imitating natural ecosystems in improving and balancing out both local ecological factors as well as sustainable food production.
Mr Chikuya explained that the relationship between people, water and plants must be acknowledged instead of only looking at the economic or financial side of things while the ecological effects of horizontal farming should also be taken into account and measures should be placed to mitigate these problems.
“The only raw materials needed are two tanks — one for the breams and the other for the plants the farmer will be producing,” said Mr Chikuya.
This system of crop production minimises or eliminates other farming processes such as weeding thereby lowering costs on labour and capital.
The tilapia bream and green pepper project by CUT represents a major breakthrough in agricultural innovations and the ushering in of a new era in innovative agricultural practices, as the Government seeks solutions to climate proof the agriculture industry towards ensuring food security.
Online Reporter