Driving Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation: INNOECOFOOD Showcases ECOHUBS at the HealthyDiets4Africa Mid-Term Workshop

On 24th March, the INNOECOFOOD Project had the privilege of participating in the European Union -funded project, HealthyDiets4Africa Project Mid-Term Workshop held at ICIPE – International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Nairobi, Kenya. The event brought together partners and stakeholders committed to advancing sustainable and nutritious food systems across Africa.

Dr. John Kinyuru from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) represented the INNOECOFOOD Project, sharing insights into our mission to strengthen aquaculture systems and improve livelihoods through the establishment of ECOHUBS.

During his presentation, Dr. Kinyuru highlighted the ongoing work within the ECOHUBS and Living Labs, outlining key roles, milestones, and progress across different work packages. He showcased innovative technologies being implemented, including Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and In-Pond Raceway Systems (IPRS), which are designed to reduce water usage while improving the efficiency of tilapia and catfish production.

The ECOHUBS are also advancing sustainable feed solutions through the production of insects such as crickets and black soldier fly, alongside spirulina. These initiatives not only support fish feed development but also open opportunities for novel, value-added food products.

In addition, the integration of AI and IoT technologies within the Living Labs is enhancing real-time fish monitoring. These tools are helping to prevent fish mortality—particularly in cage farming systems—while enabling more precise and timely feeding practices.

Beyond production, the project is expanding access to knowledge through a Community Virtual Hub platform, offering self-paced learning on fish, insect, and spirulina production, processing, and marketing.

This engagement reaffirmed the importance of collaborative innovation, demonstrating how locally adapted technologies and strong community partnerships can drive meaningful impact and foster self-sustaining aquaculture systems across Africa.

We extend our sincere gratitude to HealthyDiets4Africa for providing a platform to share our work and exchange ideas. We look forward to continued collaboration and even greater impact in the future.