RESEARCHERS from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) are helping Rwandan farmers to improve livelihoods and nutrition in the country through a ground-breaking new aquaponics research project.

Paisley-based CAREED UWS (Centre for African Research on Enterprise and Economic Development) has embarked on the unique pilot project that aims to help as many as 80,000 farmers across 2,000 farms to reduce food shortages within 10 years.

The project also hopes to spark long-term, sustainable economic growth in a country where over a third of the population experiences food insecurity.

Professor John Struthers, director of CAREED, said: “This innovative project is effectively introducing a new approach to fish farming while simultaneously increasing the production of crops, lowering pollution and reducing fuel costs, so the benefits are significant and wide-ranging.”

The project is based on using nutrient-rich water from raising fish in tanks to provide a natural fertiliser for plants. The plants then help to purify the water for the fish as part of a wider crop health monitoring system.

This careful balance boosts growth for fish and crops without the need for pesticides, or access to rain or farm land, resulting in an environmentally sustainable solution where higher quality organic standards are achieved.

Prof Struthers added: “Included in the project will be establishing clear routes to market for farmers to sell produce via the use of new mapping techniques and the establishment of strong networks, while another key target is for inclusion to be achieved, especially in terms of disadvantaged groups such as women.

“Fundamentally, the project will strive to be a market leader that can be extended to more sectors in Africa. That’s the big goal.”

The researchers believe the project will increase yields that farmers can take to local and export markets, and are targeting an 80 per cent increase in farm output from the current level of 30 per cent.

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