Our Prototypes
Our mission is to create new possibilities in farming
We have designed different prototypes. Small ones that are easy to use in people’s gardens. But also larger prototypes that produce even more food. In order to show the possibilities of this new way of farming, we want to start a pilot project in which we realize our ideas and prototypes.
Prototype: home system
A small system for home use
For our pilot project we developed a standard system that most people can fit in their garden. People usually have big gardens in The Gambia. This system is easy to build and an affordable system, compared to expensive aquaponic systems. We created a system that is 12 meters in length and only 4 meters wide. With 48 m2 a relatively small space
Water requirements: 9000 liters
Size: 4x 12m = 48 m2
Food production capacity
Scenario: If we plant lettuce in the grow tubes and sweet potatoes in the sand field, the estimated annual harvest of this growsystem would be:
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Fish: up to 250 kg
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Lettuce: 3,000–4,000 heads
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Sweet potato: 400–500 kg
TOTAL PRODUCTION PER MONTH:
This translates into an average monthly harvest of approximately 50 kg of fish, 250 heads of lettuce, and 40 kg of sweet potatoes.
building materials
Everybody could build this sytem with the right building materials. The materials that are needed to build this grow system are:
Concrete blocks – for the fish tank and frame
Concrete – to plaster concrete fish tank
Rain pipes – will function as grow pipes
Pond foil – used in the sandponics field & water channel
Small tubes – to transport water from fish tank to grow pipes
Small Valves – to control amount of water flowing in the sandbed
Vacuum pump – or solar powered pump to return water to fish tank
Other small parts –
TOTAL COSTS:
€ 680– (ex. labor)
Prototype: community system
A large system for community use
For larger gardens/ farms we developed a larger prototype. This model is a larger copy of our ‘home’ prototype. The difference is size. The length of the concrete fish tank is 24 meters, 2m wide and 1,5 m deep.
Attached to these tanks are 10 m long grow pipes (up to 70 pipes). From the grow pipes, the water drops into the sandponics field that measures 24m x 20m. This creates 480m2 of incredibly fertile farmland. Perfect to grow tomatoes, rice and vegetables like corn.
Water volume: 72.000 liters
Total Size: 24m wide x 32m long = 768 m2
Food production capacity
Scenario: If we plant lettuce in the grow tubes and rice in the sandponics field, the estimated annual harvest of this grow system would be:
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Fish: 2.500 – 3.000 kg
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Lettuce: 38.000 heads
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Rice: 1.100 kg
TOTAL PRODUCTION PER MONTH:
This translates into an average monthly harvest of approximately 220 kg of fish, 3.300 heads of lettuce, and 91 kg of rice.
building materials
Materials needed to build this system
Concrete blocks – for the fish tank and frame
Concrete – to plaster concrete fish tank
Rain pipes – will function as grow pipes
Pond foil – used in the sandponics field & water channel
Small tubes – to transport water from fish tank to grow pipes
Small Valves – to control amount of water flowing in the sandbed
Vacuum pump – or solar powered pump to return water to fish tank
TOTAL COSTS:
€ 7.000.- (ex. labor)
let's change the way we farm, let's refarm
Climate change is killing traditional rain-fed farming in Africa. To revive the Gambia’s agriculture, we must move to Aquaponics and Sandponics. These systems save 90% more water and ensure food security even during the harshest droughts. It’s time for a smarter way to farm.
Our challenge
The main challenge of this project was finding a low-cost alternative to a conventional filtration system. Our goal was to make the system accessible even to the poorest households, which meant it had to be simple, affordable, and built with locally available materials. After extensive research, we discovered that sand is an ideal natural filter. A simple reservoir lined with pond foil and topped with sand as a growing medium, performs the same function as an expensive filter system.
This was our biggest breakthrough. We have now developed an aqua/sandponics prototype that is easy and affordable to build, even for the poorest communities. Most importantly, it allows people to grow large amounts of fish and vegetables in a small space without depending on the rainy season. This method allows them to farm year round.
ReFarm Africa | Sustainable Farming Innovations
Pioneering Techniques for Climate-change proof farming
Aquaponics
Aquaponics combines aquaculture and plant production into a single system, where fish and plants mutually benefit through improved nutrient cycling and sustainable growth.
Sandponics
Sandponics utilizes sand as a growing medium, offering a cost-effective and efficient solution for arid regions. This new technique reduces water usage while maximizing crop yield.
Resource Efficiency
Our methods prioritize the use of local resources, minimizing waste and reducing dependency on external inputs, making farming more accessible and sustainable.
Community Empowerment
By providing training and resources, we enable communities to establish their own farms, fostering economic growth and self-sufficiency.
Environmental Impact
This new farming method significantly lower the carbon footprint of farming operations, promoting a greener and more sustainable future.
Economic Opportunities
This project creates job opportunities and supports local businesses, helping to build resilient micro-economies in West Africa. We are convinced that this project is the best tool we have to fight illegal migration.
Help us to create the Farm of the Future
Be part of a groundbreaking initiative that empowers communities through sustainable farming. Support us in transforming lives and fostering economic growth in West Africa.