AQUAVET: Introducing Aquaponic in VET: Tools, Teaching Units and Teacher Training
Leonardo da Vinci Transfer of Innovation Project (Lifelong Learning Programme)

At a glance
- Project leader : Prof. Dr. Ranka Junge
- Project team : Paola Amadio, Nadine Antenen, Roger Bolt, Maurizio Borin, Monica Celi, Tjaša Griessler Bulc, Aleksandra Krivograd, Nataša Smolar-Zvanut, Uroš Strniša, Davide Tocchetto, Nuša Zibert
- Project budget : CHF 480'000
- Project status : completed
- Funding partner : EU and other international programmes (CH Stiftung Leonardo da vinci Transfer of innovation)
- Project partner : Urban Farmers AG, Piante Acqua Natura P.A.N., Inštitut za vode Republike Slovenije, Istituto Agrario Sartor, Strickhof, Biotehniški center Naklo, Università di Padova, Univerza v Ljubljani
- Contact person : Ranka Junge
Description
Today, as a result of rapid population growth, increased food requirements and proceeding urbanization, the area of agricultural land is rapidly declining and our oceans are over-fished. To meet future demands for food, there is need for new innovative, space-saving and ecological techniques in food production. Aquaponic is a sustainable food production method, which combines aquaculture of fish with hydroponic cultivation of plants (without soil) using a closed water cycle. It’s major benefits are a reduction of fresh water consumption to a minimum, efficient use of nutrients and guaranteed product safety using no antibiotics nor pesticides. Another advantage of the method is the opportunity to produce food right where it is consumed – in the cities (urban farming), what will gain even more relevance in the future regarding the predicted decline in farmland (www.fao.org). Thus, aquaponic is an ecological and climate-friendly method for producing high nutritional food and at the same time meeting the today\'s demands of consumers for a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. The technique opens up new perspectives in introducing new „green jobs“.
The main goals of the project AQUAVET are:- Development of new VET (vocational education and training) profession „Aquaponic Urban Farmer“
- Transfer of aquaponic technology into VET in different countries (CH, SI, IT)
- Transfer of teaching Units into VET in different countries (languages: English, German, Slovenian, Italian)
- Adaption of training resources and support of the training of VET teachers/trainers
- Piloting of the training modules for „Aquaponic Farmers“ Qualification (CH, SI, IT)
Further information
Publications
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Podgrajsek, Barbara; Schmautz, Zala; Krivograd Klemenčič, Aleksandra; Jarni, Klara; Junge, Ranka; Griessler Bulc, Tjasa,
2014.
Preliminarni monitoring akvaponicnega sistema v biotehniskem centru Naklo.
Moje podeželje.
5(9), pp. 10-11.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-4982
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Graber, Andreas; Antenen, Nadine; Junge, Ranka,
2014.
The multifunctional aquaponic system at ZHAW used as research and training lab [paper].
In:
Maček, Melita Ana; Maček Jerala, Milena; Kolenc Artiček, Majda, eds.,
Prenos inovacij, znanja in izkušenj v vsakdanjo rabo : zbornik izvlečkov = transmission of innovations, knowledge and practical experience into everyday practice : book of abstracts.
3rd Conference VIVUS, Conference on Agriculture, Environmentalism, Horticulture, Floristics, Food Production and Processing, Strahinj, Slovenia, 14–15 November 2014.
Strahinj:
Biotehniški center Naklo.
pp. 245-255.
Available from: https://doi.org/10.21256/zhaw-1613
-
2014.
In:
Maček, Melita Ana; Maček Jerala, Jerala; Kolenc Artiček, Majda, eds.,
Prenos inovacij, znanja in izkušenj v vsakdanjo rabo : zbornik izvlečkov / transmission of innovations, knowledge and practical experience into everyday practice : book of abstracts.
3. Conference VIVUS: Conference on agriculture, environmentalism, horticulture, floristics, food production and processing: "Transmission of Innovations, Knowledge and Practical Experience into Everyday Practice", Strahinj, Slovenia, 14–15 November 2014.
Strahinj:
Biotehniški center Naklo.
pp. 10.