USAID_Field Evaluation of a Passive Aeration System for Aquaculture_PAEGC Innovator Final Report_Jan 2016 to Nov 2019

Abstract

The project plan had three main themes of activities. The first activity focused on the technical development of the device. This activity involved modelling the device using computational fluid dynamics models, using these models to size and evaluate the device for field trials, development of detailed designs, and then using data to validate models. The process was iterative in the course of the project and field prototypes were distributed in three phases with planned time to evaluate and improve the prototype for the next phase.

The second activity focused on the field testing of the device. In this activity, we interacted with fish farmers in Bangladesh. Initial activities focused on the recruitment of fish farmers and conducting initial surveys. Initial surveys requested details of income, demographics of those involved, pond size, and fish species to enable selection of appropriate sites and even accessibility to the device. Once initial surveys are conducted, the monthly site visits were conducted by staff at BRAC and WorldFish to collect baseline data. Then devices were rolled out in three phases to fish farmers. Over the course of the project, there was a plan to deploy 100 devices. Once devices were rolled out, the staff continued to conduct monthly surveys to evaluate device performance.

The final activity focused on business development. Initial work in this area focused with BRAC and WorldFish to survey the potential market to determine system requirements. Next, we worked with Powering Agriculture staff and other advisors to survey different business models and paths to scale up the technology. Finally, we worked to determine project partners and/or funders for scale-up.