Think Global- Not Just Western: Integrated Aquaculture Farming to Sustain Communities

An interesting dissertation out the University of Liege that caused me to pause and reflect a bit on my "purpose" as a researcher and practitioner in the BSF industry. If I am not mistaken, I believe the student is from the Republic of the Congo and is now a professor there (based on my forensic skills and my sleuthing abilities through the internet. The title of his dissertation is:

Agroecological Intensification of Integrated Agriculture Aquaculture Systems: The Case of Smallholder Farms in the Western Democratic Republic of Congo

My reason for sharing this dissertation is really more than just about BSF- well, in part is about BSF... but really about philosophy as related to the industry as a whole. I have always felt the BSF belongs to the global community and can be used to enhance economic growth in developing or developed nations throughout the world while protecting the environment or at minimum reducing our impact on it.

We, the industry, should try to do more to work with others throughout the world to enhance the use of BSF. Based on the work being published and the efforts of many companies to work globally- it is obvious such efforts are being made. And, I often talk about this system not being reliant on "space-age" technology to mass produce. Individuals can mass produce the BSF with simple materials commonly available. The point being, if the conditions are appropriate, anyone should be able to produce BSF.  

In fact, as demonstrated in this dissertation, an integrated approach to sustainable agriculture can alleviate economic pressures on communities without heavy investment from outside entities. And, BSF can be part of this effort.

At the same time, such an approach, while eliminating, or reducing, dependencies on imports to sustain a system, creates community industry where one farmer can feed family, a village of farmers feeds a region, a region feeds a nation, and so on.

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Author

Jeffery K. Tomberlin, PhD, Inspired by Community
CEO, EVO Conversion Systems, LLC
​Twitter: @FliesFacility