1200 words Assignment.

This report will explore a potential research-based design response for replicable, low cost and sustainable fish farms at both a household and community level in rural areas of Timor-Leste. It will provide justification, relevant preliminary research, and two possible design ideas.

The primary goal of the design is to increase the availability of an animal source food (ASF), in the form of sustainable and low-cost fish, to the people of rural Timor-Leste. This is essential as the World Health Organisation (WHO) has determined that Timor-Leste has one of the highest rates of child malnutrition in the world. (Spencer, Sanders & Judge, 2018) Additionally, the WHO cites in a 2010 poll of children less than five years old rates of stunting at 57.7% and wasting at 18.9%. (World Health Organisation, 2019)

Currently, fish farming in Timor-Leste consists of an unorganised scattering of fishponds of varying sizes close to natural water sources. (Engineers Without Borders Australia, 2019). Consequently, fresh fish are typically only available for purchase from local markets in coastal regions, with limited availability of fresh fish in rural areas due to the high cost of transport. (Wong et al., 2018)

Hishamunda, N., & Ridler, N. B. (2006). Farming fish for profits: A small step towards food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Food Policy, 31(5), 401–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2005.12.004

This article is primarily concerned with food security and its two main components; access and availability. It refers to case studies in regions of Africa, such as the Kariba area of Zimbabwe, to advocate for the establishment of more private sector aquaculture in sub-Saharan Africa. In doing so, it outlines the dramatic impact that aquaculture can have on local communities and argues that food accessibility is increased as a function of the employment generated by commercial aquaculture. It is this employment and associated income generation that enables the poor to “translate their need for food into effective demand” (Hishamunda & Ridler, 2006).

The information and case study presented in the article is highly relevant to the development of a suitable design as it introduces the farming concept of aquaculture and demonstrates a logical economic structure that might be generated as a result of increased food access that could potentially benefit all living in rural Timor-Leste society. The article is part of a peer reviewed journal on ‘Food Policy’ published in 2006. Its authors have been published in numerous publications concerning the fields of aquaculture and economics. As such, the article can reasonably be viewed as a credible source of information in the context of the design project.

Wong, J., Bagnol, T., Grieve, B., Jong, H., Li, J., & Alders, B. (2018). Factors influencing animal-source food consumption in Timor-Leste. Food Security, 10(3), 741–762. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-018-0804-5

This article is focused on specific factors that influence ASF consumption in Timor-Leste. In particular identifying social, economic and political barriers to ASF consumption. These include low income, low livestock levels, high livestock mortality rates, hunting restrictions and living inland. Furthermore, the report describes situations proven to enable greater access to ASF in communities. These include those that observe a larger number of ceremonies of a longer duration and households with a greater number of small livestock. Findings presented suggest that nutrition-based programs should focus on women and improving the health and production of small livestock species frequently utilised by households.

The information presented in this article presents a compelling argument for the need to increase available ASF in regional Timor-Leste. It contains information gained and synthesised by interviewing 312 locals with first-hand experience of living within three different regions in Timor-Leste. Furthermore, it was written by six co-authors, each highly qualified doctorates or university professors with an academic focus in an area pertaining to nutrition, public health, and Timor-Leste.

Cummins, D. (2014). Local governance in timor-leste : Lessons in postcolonial state-building. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.cdu.edu.au

This book contains information on the various levels of political hierarchy in Timor-Leste. Particularly the Uma Kain, Aldeia, Suku, and the Sub-District. Importantly, it discusses the importance of economic relationships to subsistence agriculture and their often-complex nature involving extended families. Land ownership in Timor-Leste, whether residential or commercial, is typically held by individual families. This means that the customary institution of the Uma Kain is vitally important to manage and determine the hierarchy of authority, decision making, responsibilities and obligations to the family as a collective, and access to resources within the extended family structure.

This text presents important preliminary research for the design project in order to gain an understanding of local and regional political and economic context. Understanding the political economy of the village is vital in order to successfully implement an initiative such as improved aquaculture within the community if it is to remain low cost and sustainable long term. The text is highly credible being written by an academic who specialises as a consultant and trainer on issues of post-colonial local governance and community development.

One proposed design-based solution to providing increased access to ASF is that of a single loop aquaponic system that is easily replicable and may be scaled to provide a sustainable source of fish throughout the year for larger household or small communities.

Image 4.1.1: Scalable single loop aquaponic system schematic.

In brief, the system shown in Image 4.1.1 stores fish in the main tank (2). Water containing solid waste particles flow in a steady stream through the waste uptake pipe (3) into the biofilter (4). The biofilter traps heavy waste particles, which are able to be drained out tap (5). Nutrient rich water is then able to flow out of the biofilter and is used to water any crops that are being grown in the garden bed (6). The water from the garden bed is then collected via gravity into a clean water sump (10). Clean water is then transferred via an electric pump (11) back into the main fish tank, completing the loop. (Rob Bob’s Aquaponics & Backyard Farm, 2019).

For smaller applications, a cost effective and replicable design solution could take the form an aquaponics setup no larger than an outdoor table. This system would be particularly effective for poorer households to supplement their existing dietary intake and expand with a second system as their budget allows.

Image 4.2.1: Compact household aquaponic system

As demonstrated in Image 4.2.1, the system would consist of a 200L drum as a fish tank (5) and located on top of the table (1), or even recessed into the tabletop would be another 200L drum cut in half to create two garden beds (3). This design would again have an electric pump (7) to recirculate water into a biofilter (4) before watering the garden bed in nutrient rich water. The water level in the garden bed is able to rise until it reaches the height of the bell syphons (6) and consequently draining back into the fish tank. (Rob Bob’s Aquaponics & Backyard Farm, 2019).

The following are issues that need to be investigated before proceeding with either design option:

· Determination of a low cost, locally available method for monitoring water pH level.

· Determining the maximum sized garden bed that can be sustained as a function of fish tank volume.

· Sourcing a locally available grow media for the garden bed

· Consider replacing the electric air pump with a venturi to eliminate the need for power

· Consider utilising solar power to run the electric water pump

· Consider the type and suitability of fish to breed and produce

· Determine the availability of local materials for construction

· Source a local partner to help facilitate implementation with a mutual interest in increasing nutrition

Dealing with nutrition is a complex issue. However, as has been evidenced by the preliminary research, aquaculture is an achievable solution that meets the design criteria of creating easily replicable, low cost, and sustainable fish farms at a household and community level. In implementing this system, it is critical to partner with existing associations within the community already focusing on alleviating nutritional related issues. In doing so, this will assist navigate the complex social, economic and political structure present in Timor-Leste and help ensure the solution is sustainable into the future.

Cummins, D. (2014). Local governance in timor-leste : Lessons in postcolonial state-building. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.cdu.edu.au

Engineers Without Borders Australia. (2019). 2019 EWB Challenge Design Brief WaterAid Timor-Leste. Retrieved from https://ewb.app.box.com/s/8n76arnm95f85lcyh3vgytnelgsqe8o0

Hishamunda, N., & Ridler, N. B. (2006). Farming fish for profits: A small step towards food security in sub-Saharan Africa. Food Policy, 31(5), 401–414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2005.12.004

Rob Bob’s Aquaponics & Backyard Farm. (2019, October 13). Aquaponics Design – 3 Easiest System Builds for the Backyard [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QQA5BpWKec

Spencer, P. R., Sanders, K. A., & Judge, D. S. (2018). Growth curves and the international standard: How children's growth reflects challenging conditions in rural Timor‐Leste. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 165(2), 286–298. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.23350

Wong, J., Bagnol, T., Grieve, B., Jong, H., Li, J., & Alders, B. (2018). Factors influencing animal-source food consumption in Timor-Leste. Food Security, 10(3), 741–762. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-018-0804-5

World Health Organisation. (2019). NLiS Country Profile: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. Retrieved from http://apps.who.int/nutrition/landscape/report.aspx?iso=tls

CUC106 Assignment 2

Name provided student number provided pg. 1