{"id":21793,"date":"2024-08-05T15:51:43","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T19:51:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/evol.wp.vortexdev.com\/?p=21793"},"modified":"2024-08-05T15:51:47","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T19:51:47","slug":"eau-aquaponics-for-food-independence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/evol.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/blog\/eau-aquaponics-for-food-independence\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00c9AU: aquaponics for food independence"},"content":{"rendered":"
When passion serves the community, everyone wins! We saw the evidence of this in talking to Benjamin Laram\u00e9e, cofounder and scientific director of \u00c9AU.<\/p>
First things first: we were blown away by Benjamin\u2019s passion and the company\u2019s many innovations.<\/p>
\u00c9AU (\u00c9cosyst\u00e8mes Alimentaires Urbains) develops commercial aquaponic farms that produce fresh, healthy, local food year-round, regardless of the weather and with a small environmental footprint.<\/p>
Does that resonate with you the way it does with us? Discover \u00c9AU and its passionate cofounders Benjamin Laram\u00e9e and Julien Le Net.<\/p>
Entrepreneur profile<\/h2>
Benjamin describes himself as a regular guy from the regions. Growing up in his birthplace of Drummondville, Benjamin was introduced from a young age to ecology and wildlife protection by his family, particularly his grandfather, who would take his grandchildren perch fishing along Lac Saint-Pierre and explain the importance of protecting and respecting what nature has to offer.<\/p>
Young Benjamin grew up with these values and enrolled in CEGEP to study computer science. After graduation, he started working as a computer support technician for a school board. But something soon became clear to him. \u201cI wasn\u2019t properly investing my time to have the sort of impact I wanted,\u201d Benjamin says.<\/p>
That\u2019s surprising coming from a young man just 20 years old. At the time, he was involved in the Greenpeace movement, participating in the occasional demonstration. It was in the Gasp\u00e9, during a protest that blocked fishermen from heading out, that he had the spark that unbeknownst to him was lying in wait.<\/p>
\u201cI\u2019ve forgotten the details, but basically, with just one sentence, a fisherman made me understand that I wasn\u2019t going to solve the problems of the fisheries by preventing them from going out that morning,\u201d he says. \u201cThat\u2019s when things clicked.\u201d<\/p>
The click was timed with the arrival of his first child. That was when he realized he had to do more for his daughter\u2019s future.<\/p>
He went back to school to study biology at UQTR, with the goal of farming fish, until he realized that fish farming in Qu\u00e9bec is polluting. The problem is with waste management. Benjamin wanted to delve further into his studies to master techniques that would have the impact he wanted to have. Whether recirculation aquaculture or aquaponics, with Benjamin\u2019s in-depth studies, nothing held any secrets for him anymore.<\/p>
Now over to rural Brittany where Benjamin\u2019s acolyte, Julien Le Net, grew up. Julien studied agrifood engineering and specialized in food insecurity and projects with a social impact. Living in Qu\u00e9bec for almost a decade, Julien has many skills. He even produced a documentary about farming in Africa.<\/p>
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What is aquaponics?<\/h2>
Aquaponics is a method for producing fish and plants within the same system. The waste produced by fish is processed and used as a source of nutrients for plants, while maintaining a healthy environment for the fish.<\/p>
The advantages<\/strong><\/h5>
Commercial aquaponics uses 70%\u00a0to 90% less water than forms of industrial agriculture. It also considerably reduces chemical fertilizers and protects our lakes and rivers by reducing organic waste and elements that are harmful for bodies of water. Plus, commercial aquaponic farms do not require fertile soil or phytosanitary products for crops, which protect the soil and the environment.<\/p>
Commercial aquaponic systems can also be introduced in a range of locations, both rural and urban. This proximity reduces the distance food has to travel to consumers and gives them access to fresh, healthy, local products year-round.<\/p>
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Since it was founded, \u00c9AU has guided the creation of aquaponic farms in Qu\u00e9bec, Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa. What does that entail? \u00c9AU provides plans, gives guidance on laws and regulations, helps in the search for financing, consults during construction and commercialization and more. \u00c9AU also optimizes social impact by proposing strategies for projects.<\/p>
For example, construction will soon begin on an aquaponic farm in Montr\u00e9al. The plans for it had to be adapted to the building\u2019s century-old infrastructure and small size. Passers-by on the sidewalk will be able to see the installation through a window on the sidewalk. Plus, the adjacent premises will house a caf\u00e9 that will mention that its vegetables, herbs, and fish are from next door. Isn\u2019t that great? The environment is protected, food is produced, and a business is opened that can be quickly and easily supplied with goods at a lower cost. \u00c9AU is definitely having an impact!<\/p>
Benjamin and Julien, who now have a team of seasoned professionals, have even more innovations for aquaponic farmers up their sleeves.<\/p>
For example, Benjamin developed a new, smaller chili pepper cultivar, which is perfect for aquaponic facilities. Plus, \u00c9AU have developed a monitoring system that integrates artificial intelligence, MAIA (Ma\u00eetrise de l\u2019Aquaponie par l\u2019Intelligence Artificielle \u2013 mastering aquaponics through artificial intelligence), which supports farm operators and collects data from existing aquaponic farms and analyzes it to figure out the origin of any problem and find solutions to it.<\/p>
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\u201cWe have made incredible innovations over the years,\u201d Benjamin says, proudly. \u201cWe have an optimal system and technology. In simple terms, you could say that every atom that goes in comes out almost exclusively in fish and plants. There\u2019s practically no waste. Our systems are even cooler than you think!\u201d<\/p>
Of course, there are issues, including the installation cost. This is the case for all conventional and industrial agricultural projects. But the entrepreneurs are confident that technological advances and research currently under way will mitigate this obstacle for aquaponics.<\/p>
Benjamin is unequivocal: he will find sustainable solutions for Qu\u00e9bec\u2019s food supply. When he retires, if he has succeeded in creating an aquaponic farm in every major city in Qu\u00e9bec, he will be able to say, \u201cMission accomplished!\u201d<\/p>
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