17. elaborates. “So recovered nutrients and fertilisers generated from the fish are fed through to the vegetables.” The firm’s ‘farming-as-a-service’ business model strongly aligns with the SDG charter of the United Nations with food security and job creation, representing the core objectives of Desertfoods’ financial-first impact venture understanding itself as nexus between Food, Energy and Waste on the one hand and People, Planet, Profit on the other. Aiming to drive the agricultural and educational transformation with sub-Saharan Africa as the corporate's current geographic focus, Desertfoods’ commercial-scale and semi-climate protected debut farm is located in Hekpoort, South Africa (north-west of Johannesburg) with an annual production capacity in excess of 120 metric tons of leafy greens and Nile tilapia with the facility having a footprint of less than 1.5 hectare in size. Next to the commercial at scale farming operations, Desertfoods’ next-gen add-on technology is currently being piloted at Hekpoort. The premise for the debut farm was selected based on several factors, including it being one of the most difficult farming areas. Power outages and the latest price escalation of electricity tariffs being a real threat for the agriculture industry. The business model developed by Desertfoods for South Africa will also contribute to the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) programme. “We’re trying to empower people to learn and develop, as well as driving the much-needed transformation of agricultural farming systems,” Karsten continues. “Spearheading a paradigm shift in food security and safety through pesticide, antibiotic and microplastic free produce, water-efficient and soil-less farming, handson education, and employment. “In Africa particularly, it's important to have a community system in place which we can install initially and then hand over after a certain period of time to the community.” In fact, Desertfoods together with its local business partner, Integrated Aquaculture (Pty) Ltd., is now keen to onboard a committed investor at South Africa-based FinLeaf Group (Pty) Ltd. This will untap the business potential across the country in the areas of urban farming, training, community systems, and last-mile delivery. Once a facility is in operation, aquaponics farmed plants achieve higher yields while saving up to 95% of water consumption compared to conventional open-field farming practices. Each aquaponics facility can also be operated self-sufficiently by sourcing energy from solar, solar thermal, geothermal, wind, or biomass power plants. In areas with high solar radiation, excess electricity can be made available to neighbouring communities or supplied into the grid. However, despite the impressive solution that Desertfoods has created to address the issues surrounding climate change and its associated obstacles, Karsten explains that a lot of resources have gone into developing the blueprint for the envisaged roll-out and corporate growth strategy across the SADC region and beyond (including overseas countries). “Massive efforts were undertaken to find like-minded people with hands-on farming experience and to implement a centre of excellence mentality both of which are essential as this farming method is still in its early days. We are not limited to promoting aquaponic solutions but also stand-alone land-based recirculating aquaculture. Human capacity remains one of the biggest challenges with us permanently seeking qualified individuals who share our ethos, and also have the passion to go the extra mile by taking ownership.” To help solve this and establish an expert pool of next generation farmers and high-potential young aquaponics growers, Desertfoods is soon to launch its first online course (operated on a learning management system), as part of the firm’s interactive training and study programme initiative. The company’s medium to long-term aim being to offer either a white labelled turn-key solution where it can provide farming as a service, or to establish a business collaboration or a joint venture with local partners by e.g. replicating the legal company structure as implemented in South Africa. As of today, Desertfoods’ technology is already patent protected in a couple of desert tech landscapes with some of the lodged patent applications presently under (advanced) examination by the relevant patent offices. “In essence, what we are trying to achieve is to have multiple farms in the future,” Karsten states, adding that it doesn’t matter where the farms are located as Desertfoods’ claim is to provide customised solutions ensuring viable operations with a strong smart-tech layer (IoT driven data capturing, monitoring and alerting) – something which helps to distinguish it further from competitors with their business model often lacking scalability. Recently, for its outstanding work, education and pioneering technology, the company gained worldwide recognition as it was named Best Climate-Smart Agriculture Company 2022 in the European Enterprise Awards 2022. This accolade is testament to the dedication and commitment of Karsten and his team of around 30 highly skilled individuals at HoldCo and OpCo level who help create, operate and further enhance the firm’s DNA. But what does Karsten envision for the future? “As climate change continues to transform the farming industry, we are committed to continuing to introduce a resilient and modern farming method to lead the agri-revolution, to offer healthy diet, unearth true talent, and drive responsible farming practises in today’s and tomorrow’s most pressing areas with our impact-driven aquaponics systems making the true difference in the Circular Economy, Blue, Green, Ag-Tech and Ed-Tech context.”
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