AquaBioTech Group’s Thanasis Chantzaropoulos presented the delegation with the research and development projects in East Africa. He presented the PrAEctiCe project and the Living Labs being developed in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, highlighting the different systems and techniques being implemented. Furthermore, he showcased the results and outcomes of the VicInAqua project, being one of the PrAEctiCe project living lab sites, along with how the project still influences communities and local farmers in Kenya 4 years after the project ended.

The delegation was then asked to identify the common production challenges experienced in aquaculture in Ghana, and a discussion was held about potential solutions that could be used to mitigate these challenges. Some solutions mentioned included water quality monitoring sensors, alternative feeds using locally available ingredients, good biosecurity practices, breeding techniques, making the most of water sources through filtration and integration with agriculture and recirculation techniques, aeration, research and training. These solutions were identified in the PrAEctiCe project and are being implemented in the Living Labs. 

As a culmination of the visit, the delegation members contributed to a survey on common integrated aqua-agriculture (IAA) practices in Ghana. Their valuable insights were compared to similar surveys conducted for the PrAEctiCe project, serving as a reference point for future discussions and stakeholder engagement activities. This underscores the practical relevance and applicability of the findings.