Aquaculture Africa 2024

November 19 - 22, 2024

Hammamet, Tunisia

MAPPING OF THE INTEGRATED AQUA-AGRICULTURE PRACTICES IN EAST AFRICA, AS PART OF THE EU FUNDED HORIZON PROJECT PrAEctiCe

A. Chantzaropoulos*, F. Robinson, D. Fernandez, C. Howard, A. Siciliano, J. Ssekandi, N. Kiggundu, N. Kasozi, E. Ogello, J. Maro, R. Raswiu, J. Hoinkis, S. Paolacci

* AquaBioTech Ltd, Targa Gap, Naxxar Street, Mosta, MST1761, Malta.

Email: thc@aquabt.com

 



PrAEctiCe is a Horizon-funded project that focuses on improving food production and farming in Africa. . The project supports the development of tools for agro-ecology advisors to aid the selection of the most appropriate Integrated Aqua-Agricultural (IAA) farming practices for local communities.  

An extensive survey was conducted to identify the location and types of IAA practices existing in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. The primary goal was to document IAA practices, levels of integration, production, opportunities, and challenges encountered by farmers in the three countries. The study used a KOBO digital questionnaire, which was administered by trained specialists throughout the three countries.

The survey provided useful information on the fish/livestock/crop species farmed, production methods, volumes, and value, circularity of the systems, challenges encountered and possible solutions for their problems developed by the farmers themselves. All these data were categorised and analysed in a report.

The facilities identified were mapped using GIS, and the tooltip content was displayed using coding language, coupled with interactive Geo Maps PRO. Geo Maps PRO is a plug-in integrated into WordPress that creates markers with a more focused level of detail than GIS on a specific map. In this case, PrAEctiCe-specific countries. The plug-in allows for continuous changes to be made and for the addition of more information using different display methods like images, icons or heat maps. 

Data protection of the farms involved in the survey was ensured.  Only data regarding their activity are displayed; no personal information, such as name or address, is provided in the map.

The output provided location and features of IAA practices that can function as models for local governments and international NGOs, research institutes, funding bodies, private companies and farmers, to facilitate the adoption of sustainable and productive farming systems.  The users are able to navigate the map and see the different farm activities. The interactive map can be found on the website of the project, under the “Living Labs” tab (https://praectice.eu/integrated-agriculture-aquaculture-map/)

The present study is part of the PrAEctiCe Project funded by EU, under GA number 101084248.