The controlled environment provided by an aquaponics greenhouse solves obstacles to food production caused by climate change in El Salvador, including a proliferation of pests and irregular rainfall. Amun Shea students will benefit from nutritious meals at school, as well as from learning to manage scalable aguaponics production for home and small business application. Their current experience in fish farming and vegetable growing will be combined in this proactive solution to food production.
A 300% increase in the price of beans, as a result of drought in El Salvador, is an unmistakable sign that swift and efficient measures must be taken to stem further decline in the health and nutrition status of an already vulnerable population. Irregular weather patterns and drastic seasonal changes may no longer be seen as exceptional, but rather as the new normal. Subsistence farming, once the safety net for food availability in a large rural population has suddenly become uncertain.
Both vegetable growing and fish farming are known practices in our community. Aquaponics combines these two activities in a climate-controlled greenhouse setting. This will increase efficiency in food production and greatly diminish loss due to pests and irregular weather patterns. Introducing this technology into the community through an educational program will motivate the building of other greenhouses, which will promote better nutrition through inclusion of vegetables into the diet.
We will provide a viable option for food production in the face of climate change, for the communities of northern Morazan in El Salvador. We will begin by providing nutritious food and training in aquaponics production to 100 students. This will expand to their families and then throughout the wider community. Health and nutrition will improve within the communities and an alternative economically viable activity will be established, lessening the vulnerability of the population.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
