INCiTiS-FOOD

About Us

A look into existing African landscape

A look into existing African landscape With current African cities experiencing a growth in population with an increase in consumption of protein-rich food, the INCiTiS-FOOD project hopes to create a system with novel practices to ensure a stable food future for Africa. Additionally, African urbanization is at 50%, with many net food buyers increasing their consumption of animal sourced food, fruits and veggies. Yet undernourishment and malnutrition persist due to lack of protein, micronutrients, and vitamin A. Fish accounts for up to 50% of protein intake in some countries but is still below global levels and insects are already common in African diets. The African food system needs to change at its core.

INCiTiS-FOOD project is shaping the future of food and nutrition in Africa

INCiTiS-FOOD is a project funded by the European Union. Starting in January 2023, it will focus on sustainable agri-food practices and will address the pressing challenges of food and nutritional security, environmental pressures of food production and environmental justice in the African region, particularly in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, and Gabon .

Through co-creation of cutting-edge circular agri-food technologies, practices, and business models, INCiTiS-FOOD is creating an inclusive food system that is both sustainable and accessible. With 8 living labs across 6 countries and a user-centric approach, INCiTiS-FOOD is applying a Lean Start-up Methodology to launch innovative technologies, services, practices, and products – empowering stakeholders to shape the future of food in Africa.

Hydroponics

plant

Hydroponics is a technique for cultivating plants without traditional soil, utilizing a nutrient-rich water solution to provide essential elements for plant growth. The method can be implemented horizontally or vertically and comes in various complexities, such as nutrient film technique (NFT) and deep water culture (DWC) for simpler setups, and aeroponics for more advanced systems. This soil-less approach brings numerous benefits, including efficient water usage, accelerated growth rates, increased yields, and the ability to cultivate plants in areas with limited space, water resources, or poor soil quality. Hydroponics stands out as an example of closed-cycle technology by eliminating the reliance on traditional soil.

Aquaponics

fish-1

Aquaponics is a sustainable farming technique that integrates aquaculture (fish farming) and hydroponics, creating a closed-loop system where plants and fish mutually benefit each other. In this system, fish waste serves as nutrients for the plants, and, in turn, the plants purify the water for the fish. The process involves circulating water from the fish tank to the plant beds, where bacteria convert fish waste into plant-absorbable nutrients. As plants absorb these nutrients, they purify the water, which is then recirculated to the fish tank. Aquaponics stands out for its minimal water usage, eliminating the need for synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. This method enables the sustainable and efficient production of both fish and fresh vegetables.

Insect farming

insects

Insect farming, also known as insect rearing or insect husbandry, is the controlled cultivation of insects for various purposes and is increasingly recognized as a sustainable and alternative form of protein production. In controlled environments, insect farms breed and raise insects such as mealworms, crickets, and black soldier flies. These insects are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them suitable for direct human consumption or as feed for livestock and aquaculture.

Compared to traditional livestock farming, insect farming has a significantly smaller environmental footprint, requiring less land, water, and feed resources. Insects also play a crucial role in efficiently converting organic waste into valuable nutrients, making them beneficial for waste management practices.

INCiTiS FOOD

INCiTiS-FOOD strives to positively impact food and nutritional security trough EU-AU partnerships in Africa by utilizing

  • hydroponics
  • aquaponics
  • insect farming

and fostering collaboration among all relevant stakeholders along the supply and value chain, including women and young adults, start-ups, and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Open Call

Once the INCiTiS-FOOD minimum viable products have achieved a satisfactory level of technological, social, and business preparedness after two years of the four-year project, usability testing will culminate in a demonstration phase for over 800-1000 start-ups and SMEs. This phase will be initiated by two Open Calls for the Cascade Fund (1.000.000€). The beneficiaries of this fund will be surveyed to generate evidence on the mutual benefits of the INCiTiS-FOOD technologies and business models, providing guidance on urban food policy roadmaps for African cities.