Mozambique - Projecto criação de empresas
Challenge
individual
ECOGREEN_
My project focuses on aquaponics, a practice that combines fish farming with plant cultivation, where each system provides vital benefits for the other. The project encompasses the following key components: sustainability, community and innovation.
Documentos
ECOGREEN_
Resumo
My project focuses on aquaponics, a practice that combines fish farming with plant cultivation, where each system provides vital benefits for the other. The project encompasses the following key components: sustainability, community and innovation.
01.01 Descreva a sua empresa com mais pormenores:
My project aims to establish aquaponics system in Mozambique that utilizes grafted plants for enhanced food production and environmental sustainability. It will function this way: In an aquaponics system, the waste products of the fish, primarily ammonia, accumulate in the tank, posing a toxic threat to the fish themselves. To address this, a pump plays a crucial role in transporting this ammonia-laden water to the top of the elevated infrastructure. Within this infrastructure, specialized bacteria convert the toxic ammonia into nitrites and then further transform them into nitrates. These nitrates, instead of harming the fish, serve as an essential nutrient source for the plants. Gravity then brings the water, now free of ammonia and cleansed for the fish, back down into the tank. This remarkable cycle repeats continuously, establishing a symbiotic relationship between the fish and the plants. That is a sustainable cycle and with so many benefits and aligned with the SDGs.
01.02 Qual é o principal problema que está a tentar resolver?
The main problem faced by traditional agriculture in Mozambique is achieving high yields and consistent food production, particularly in the context of water scarcity, soil degradation, or pest and disease pressures. While existing aquaponic systems offer a sustainable solution, maximizing their potential requires addressing limitations related to plant productivity. This grafted aquaponics project directly tackles this problem by introducing grafted plant varieties specifically chosen to thrive in aquaponic environments. Grafting allows us to combine the desirable characteristics of different plant species and deliver more types of food, I mean, more cultures in a smaller space and with more nutrients. Overall, this grafted aquaponics project strives to address the limitations of traditional agriculture and existing aquaponics systems by harnessing the innovative power of grafting to achieve sustainable and high-yielding food production in Mozambique.
01.03 Indique-nos os principais benefícios e/ou vantagens da utilização do produto/serviço que o seu projecto pretende fornecer (pelo menos 3).
The major advantages of using the product/service that my project intends to provide are
01.04 Descreva exactamente a quem se destina o seu projecto. Quem são os beneficiários visados?
My project is aimed at serving the mozambican population and it has the potential to serve a range of beneficiaries, contributing to social and economic development in the region, such as small-scale farmers, women and youth and low-income communities, aquaponics businesses, seedling producers, renewable energy providers, schools and universities and research institutions.
01.05 Quando é que começou a trabalhar no seu projecto?
19/02/2023
01.06 Quantos outros parceiros estão associados à seu projecto?
2
01.07 Entre os outros parceiros, quantos são do sexo feminino?
0
01.08 Descreva o perfil de cada um dos outros parceiros (competências, experiência, etc.)
They are experienced women in the field of social media and risk managing.
01.09 Se tiver um sítio Web, uma página nas redes sociais (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou uma aplicação, forneça a ligação aqui:
https://www.instagram.com/viagem_adriano?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
01.10 Qual o sector que melhor descreve o seu projeto?
b) Materiais (agricultura, pesca, produtos químicos, materiais de construção, contentores e embalagens, metais e minas, papel e produtos florestais)
02.01.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalment
02.01.02 Justificativa
Não respondido02.02.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.02.02 Justificativa
My project will contribute to the zero hunger goal as it is meant to bring four main benefits: The first one is that grafted plants will offer higher yields and improved nutritional value, contributing to increased food security. The second one is that my aquaponics project will promote sustainable food production, reducing reliance on traditional methods and increasing food availability. The third one is the fact that the grafted varieties with improved tolerance to harsh conditions will ensure food production even in challenging environments. The last one is that by promoting local food production through aquaponics, I will be able to shorten supply chains and improve access to fresh, nutritious food for communities.
02.03.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo Totalmente
02.03.02 Justificativa
My project will contribute to the good health and well-being goal as it is meant to bring two main benefits: The first one is nutrient-rich food: as I will use grafted plants, because of their enhanced nutritional content, it will provide healthier food options for communities. The second benefit is the reduced pesticide use: as an aquaponic project, I will be using less pesticide use compared to traditional agriculture, contributing to healthier food and a cleaner environment.
02.04.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.04.02 Justificativa
My project will serve as a living laboratory, providing students with hands-on learning opportunities in areas like biology, agriculture, aquaculture, and environmental science. Also, students will participate in the project by assisting with plant care, fish husbandry, water quality monitoring, data collection, fostering practical skills development; The project can be integrated into school curriculums to make learning more engaging and relevant to real-world applications; Grafted aquaponics showcases innovative and sustainable agricultural techniques, and mine will promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills; Students will learn about the science behind grafting and its potential to improve crop yields and resilience in aquaponic systems; The project will raise awareness about environmental sustainability and the importance of responsible resource management, and students involved in the project can become peer educators, sharing knowledge and experiences with others.
02.05.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.05.02 Justificativa
My project will contribute to the gender equality goal as it is meant to bring four main benefits: Having in mind that the females are in large numbers when it comes to people in agriculture in Mozambique, so providing training specifically designed for women on grafted plant varieties, aquaponics system operation, and maintenance will equip women with the knowledge and skills to manage and contribute significantly to the project's success; Also, my project will contribute to the financial independence, as grafted aquaponics has the potential to generate income. By ensuring women have access to training, resources, and markets, the project will be empowering them to achieve financial independence and contribute to their household income.
02.06.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.06.02 Justificativa
My project will contribute to the clean water and sanitation goal as it is meant to bring four main benefits: My aquaponics systems use water efficiently, reducing overall water consumption compared to traditional agriculture. Another benefit is that the closed-loop system in aquaponics will minimize water pollution by minimizing runoff of fertilizers and pesticides; By promoting water conservation practices, the project will contribute to improved water management and resource sustainability; Training on water management techniques in aquaponics will empower communities to manage water resources more effectively.
02.07.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.07.02 Justificativa
My project contributes to the affordable and clean energy in the following ways: Our goal is to locate our aquaponics project in an area that receives sunlight for most of the year, because the solar panels are a cheaper option and will be used to provide clean energy to power the electrical components of our aquaponics system, such as water pumps, artificial lighting systems, and aerators. The usage of solar panels will help to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. However, it will still be necessary to use a backup power source, such as a generator, to power the system on very dark days or during extended periods of bad weather. This is because even on the sunniest days, there will be times when the sun is not shining, such as at night or during storms.
02.08.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.08.02 Justificativa
My project will contribute to the goal by increasing Job creation and income generation: the project will require skilled labor for system maintenance, plant care, fish husbandry, and marketing. This will create new job opportunities for local communities, especially for youth and women; Increased productivity and yield from grafted plants will lead to higher income generation for farmers involved in the aquaponics project; The project will promote entrepreneurship by empowering individuals to start their own grafted aquaponics businesses, contributing to economic diversification in rural areas; The project will also promote decent working conditions through fair wages, safe work environments, and access to social protection for workers.
02.09.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.09.02 Justificativa
Grafted aquaponics represents an innovative and sustainable approach itself to food production, promoting resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact. The project will contribute to the development of new technologies and best practices for grafted plant cultivation in aquaponic systems. By promoting knowledge sharing and capacity building, the project will encourage the adoption of grafted aquaponics by other farmers, fostering innovation in the agricultural sector. Not to mention that my project has the potential to encourage the development of local infrastructure for grafted plant production, including nurseries specializing in grafted seedlings for aquaponic systems, and attract investment in sustainable agriculture technologies and infrastructure development in Mozambique.
02.10.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.10.02 Justificativa
My project will contribute in several ways, such as Reduced Inequalities in several ways: Economic Empowerment and Job Creation: The project will create new job opportunities in areas like system operation, plant grafting, fish farming, and aquaponics management, particularly for local communities; By promoting income generation through aquaponics production and potential sales of surplus produce, the project can empower individuals and families, especially those facing economic hardship; The project can encourage fair trade practices and ensure equitable distribution of benefits within the community, promoting inclusive economic growth. Improved Food Security and Nutrition: Increased production of high-quality fish and vegetables through grafted plants can contribute to improved food security and access to nutritious food for vulnerable populations; The project will promote dietary diversity and provide local communities with a reliable source of source of fresh, healthy food.
02.11.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
6
02.11.02 Justificativa
My project will contribute to the goal by providing a viable option for urban agriculture, allowing for food production within city limits. This can improve access to fresh, nutritious food for urban communities, especially those facing food insecurity. Also, grafted plants offer the potential for higher yields and improved disease resistance in aquaponic systems, leading to increased food production in a smaller space, which is particularly valuable in urban areas with limited land availability.
02.12.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
6
02.12.02 Justificativa
My project will contribute to the goal by minimizing water usage and waste generation. This aligns with the goal of promoting responsible consumption and production, specially in sustainable cities. The project will also encourage responsible waste management practices. Organic waste from fish farming will be composted and reused as fertilizer within the aquaponic system, further reducing waste.
02.13.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.13.02 Climate action - Justification
My project will contribute to the climate action goal as it will use significantly less water compared to traditional agriculture, especially when employing water-efficient techniques. This will reduce overall water consumption and pressure on freshwater resources. The project will also promote water conservation practices and raise awareness about the importance of sustainable water management in a climate-changing world. Grafted plants will be chosen carefully for their tolerance to drought, heat stress, or salinity, making the system more resilient to the impacts of climate change. Furthermore, the project will contribute to research on climate-resilient grafted varieties suitable for aquaponics, promoting adaptation to changing environmental conditions.
02.14.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.14.02 Justificativa
My project will contribute to the goal by minimizing water discharge and associated pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, and antibiotics commonly used in traditional agriculture. This reduction in water pollution protects coastal ecosystems, coral reefs, and marine biodiversity.
02.15.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
7 - Concordo totalmente
02.15.02 Justificativa
My project contributes to the life on land goal as combining fish farming with hydroponic plant cultivation in a vertical space reduces the need for extensive land areas and it minimizes soil disturbance and helps preserve natural ecosystems. The project also reduces the reliance on traditional agriculture, which often contributes to deforestation. My project is also designed to promote sustainable food production by reducing the use of fertilizers, pesticides, and antibiotics compared to traditional agriculture, as this contributes to soil health, water quality, and overall environmental sustainability. Not to mention that it will use water efficiently and aligned with the production of nutrient-rich plants will contribute to soil restoration and combat desertification efforts.
02.16.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
3
02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification
Não respondido02.17.01 Meu projeto contribui para esse objetivo
4
02.17.02 Justificativa
Não respondido05.01 Há um grande número de clientes que já utilizam um produto/serviço muito semelhante ao produto/serviço que pretendemos criar
2
05.02 O produto/serviço que imaginamos criar representa um tipo de produto/serviço totalmente novo.
7 - Concordo totalmente
05.03 O produto/serviço que pretendemos criar pode ser descrito como uma nova tecnologia.
6
05.04 O produto/serviço que pretendemos criar é uma melhoria de um produto ou serviço existente.
7 - Concordo totalmente
05.05 O produto/serviço que imaginamos criar pode ser descrito como uma extensão de uma gama de produtos ou serviços.
1 - Discordo totalmente
05.06 O produto/serviço que imaginamos criar responde a uma procura ou necessidade que não foi satisfeita por outros produtos/serviços.
6
05.07 O produto/serviço que imaginamos criar é uma nova versão de um produto/serviço antigo.
2
05.08 Justificativa
Aquaponic businesses already exist in Mozambique but they are not so common yet. I thought about bringing grafted plants to my project as it is innovative, benefitial and ecological. It is more beneficial to the environment and more sustainable.
05.09 Quem são seus principais concorrentes potenciais e o que faz você se destacar deles?
My main competitors are existing aquaponics projects and possible future entrants. I stand from them because my project focus on grafted plants. The advantages that make me stand out from them are Increased yields, improved disease resistance and enhanced tolerance to local climate conditions (drought, heat stress, salinity).
10.06 Está a iniciar acções na sua comunidade para promover o papel das mulheres empresárias? (Se sim, dê alguns exemplos de acções, se não, deixe em branco)
Yes, I have an eco friendly project called students for a clean community, that instigates in students the passion for volunteering in activities related to the sea and coastal protection and preservation. Most of my volunteers are females and I am working towards increasing their presence in the project and the society. My social media director and risk director, are females, as an example.
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