Help us repair our INMED Aquaponics system, which hundreds of children and their families rely on for fresh produce and fish in the food insecure indigenous Amazonian community of Yarinacocha, Peru. A recent fire swept through the school campus where our system is located, burning the crops, killing the fish and damaging the piping and greenhouse structure. Hungry children are depending on us!
The Ucayali region of Peru is experiencing significant food insecurity from the COVID-19 pandemic and severe climate events. INMED Andes implemented an INMED Aquaponics system in the indigenous community of Yarinacocha to provide a steady supply of food to the students of the local school and surrounding households. A recent fire, however, burned the crops, killed the fish and damaged the system. Without repairs, continued food insecurity will lead to widespread hunger and malnourished children.
INMED's aquaponics system provides fresh, organic food for the local school's meals, with enough surplus to feed the community. It also is a source of food security and skills development for community members. Aquaponics combines fish farming with hydroponics in a closed system that is resilient to destructive climate events. Although damaged, the system's infrastructure is sound. With repairs, it can resume its bountiful year-round harvests, reducing hunger, malnutrition and food insecurity.
Sustainable local food production is essential for the survival of indigenous peoples of the Amazon. The INMED Aquaponics system in Yarinacocha has been a training hub for teaching adaptive agriculture to local farmers and fisherfolk, as well as indigenous teachers from across Peru. Combined with business training, links to markets and access to financing, INMED Aquaponics can provide opportunities for sustainable livelihoods-something INMED is already doing on 3 continents.
