The UN describes sustainable development as “development that meets current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
In the agricultural sector there is a sustainable, ecological method, with high economic potential and with a significant contribution in the fight to reduce the carbon footprint. This method is called aquaponics and has the dual purpose of generating animal and plant protein.
In Venezuela the initiative Green in Concretedirected by Ali Olivero, leads this method. The difference between the technique developed by this venture and those followed around the world is that Olivero tries to make aquaponics possible in urban centers and condominiums.
Green Plants in Concrete. Photography: Adriana Materano
This innovative model began in 2020. Although the challenges were greater due to the arrival of the pandemic, Ali Olivero shared with the ARI Mobile of The Pitazo, Runrun.es and SuchWhich that “The setbacks have been more of a learning experience”.
An environmental alternative
Aquaponics combines fish farming with plant growing, creating a closed cycle where fish waste nourishes the plants, and the plants clean the water for the fish. This method reduces water use, since the system is recirculating, allowing efficient use of this vital resource.
“The water used in the system is completely recirculating. The only water that is returned to the system is the one that evaporated”Oliveros explained.
Medium size fish container with fish food. Photography: Adriana Materano
Furthermore, another environmental impact of this method is that the proposal to establish urban production centers allows food to be grown close to consumers. This allows the carbon footprint associated with food transportation to be reduced.
Economic impact and decent jobs
Verde en Concreto seeks to create decent jobs for seniors in the city by installing farms in condominiums, where residents can get involved in food production. Oliveros explained that they are trying to carry out this idea with the collaboration of Micondominio.com
This initiative was recognized for its business model in the program UCAB Silver Accelerates 2024standing out for its focus on the silver economy, which includes seniors.
Ali Oliveros sharing the impact of Verde en Concreto. Photography: Adriana Materano
“We are dealing with the issue of the silver economy, of those young people with silver hair who are practically excluded from commercial activity.”
The idea is that with these production centers, the condominiums can generate income for their maintenance through the sales of the products to Verde en Concreto, who would be in charge of distributing the products.
“We are generating decent jobs in the city. With these types of productive centers, people can generate income from their condominiums.”
The Green in Concrete initiative is not only positioned as an innovative model of urban agriculture, but also represents a response to the current environmental, economic and social challenges of the world and of Venezuela.
Tomato, agricultural product of the Verde en Concreto aquaponics method. Photography: Adriana Materano
*Journalism in Venezuela is carried out in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments in place to punish the word, especially the laws “against hate”, “against fascism” and “against the blockade.” This content was written taking into consideration the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
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