In December 2024, the INCiTiS-FOOD project introduced its first Open Call, inviting external consortia to put forward solutions based on circular agri-food technologies. The objective was to support practical projects that apply approaches such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and insect farming in real-world settings. Selected consortia receive funding to carry out their activities and contribute to more sustainable city-region food systems.
Among the selected projects is AQUA-CLEC (Aquaponics Circular Economy for Climate Change), implemented in Nigeria. The project focuses on combining aquaponics with education and climate awareness, exploring how circular food production systems can be introduced through hands-on learning and community engagement.
Learning Through Practice
AQUA-CLEC is built around a simple idea: people understand new systems best when they can see and test them in practice. Instead of focusing only on theory, the project introduces aquaponics through demonstration setups where participants can observe how fish farming and plant cultivation are connected.
In these systems, water from fish tanks is reused to grow crops, while plants help filter and clean the water before it is returned to the fish. For example, a small unit can support the growth of vegetables such as lettuce while also producing fish, showing how both outputs can come from the same resource flow.
By working directly with these systems, participants gain a clearer understanding of how circular food production works and what is required to maintain it on a day-to-day basis.
Connecting Food Systems and Climate Awareness
Beyond food production, AQUA-CLEC places strong emphasis on climate change and resource use. The project highlights how systems that reuse water and nutrients can help reduce pressure on natural resources, especially in urban environments where these resources are often limited.
Through workshops and practical sessions, participants are encouraged to reflect on how food is produced, how waste is generated, and how these processes can be improved. For instance, discussions may focus on how water can be reused within a system or how local production can reduce reliance on external supply chains.
This combination of practical learning and reflection helps link everyday farming practices with broader environmental challenges, making the topic of climate change more tangible and easier to relate to.
Engaging Students and Local Communities
A key aspect of AQUA-CLEC is its focus on students and local communities. By working with educational institutions, the project creates opportunities for young people to engage with sustainable agriculture in a hands-on way.
Participants are not only introduced to the technical side of aquaponics but also encouraged to think about how these systems could be applied beyond the learning environment. For example, a student who has worked with a demonstration unit may later explore how a similar setup could be used for small-scale food production or as part of a local business idea.
The involvement of community actors also supports knowledge sharing beyond the classroom. As participants gain experience, they can pass on what they have learned, contributing to wider awareness and gradual adoption.
The Partners Behind the Project
AQUA-CLEC is implemented by a consortium of two organisations with complementary roles.
Yaba College of Technology contributes its educational environment and experience in training, supporting the involvement of students and the integration of practical learning activities.
The Cooperative Agricultural Multipurpose Society Limited brings connections to local farming communities and supports the application of these systems beyond the academic setting.
Together, these partners combine education and community engagement, helping ensure that the project remains both practical and locally relevant.
Looking Ahead
Through its activities, AQUA-CLEC explores how aquaponics can be used not only as a production method but also as a tool for learning and awareness. By linking circular food systems with climate-related topics, the project contributes to a broader understanding of how sustainable practices can be applied in everyday contexts.
As part of the INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call portfolio, AQUA-CLEC adds a strong educational dimension to the use of circular agri-food technologies, showing how knowledge and practice can develop side by side.
To stay updated on AQUA-CLEC and other Open Call winners, follow INCiTiS-FOOD on LinkedIn and explore more stories from across the project.
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