IPCRI is partnered with Byspokes, an innovative UK-based NGO, to introduce water-efficient food production systems in two communities identified as being disproportionately impacted by the conflict (one in Israel, one in the Palestine).

Starting in September 2013, IPCRI and Byspokes are introducing water-efficient food production systems in two communities identified as being disproportionately impacted by the conflict;these communities are a Bedouin village in Israel’s Negev and a refugee camp in the West Bank.

“Growing Together” is an 8-month, pilot program that educates average citizens about aquaponics and hydroponics systems and how tobuild and capitalize on these systems. This skill will increase the capacity of host communities to produce organic vegetables, fruit and fish, resulting in nutritious food, while also conserving water and land. The pilot program includes trainings, aquaponic system installation, outreach events, local internships and more.

What is “aquaponics?”?

Aquaponics is a contained, low-cost, low-resource-intensive method of growing vegetables and farming fish. Byspokes is a leader in the development and implementation of this technology in Israel and the Palestinian territories, with active sites in Bethlehem, Beit Sahour and Jericho.

Byspokes hydroponics and aquaponics systems:

Use cheap, locally available materials (mainly reclaimed or recycled)

Work with the extremely high alkalinity and high pH of the groundwater in the West Bank / Israel

Grow plants which thrive in the local conditions, and are already part of the local diet

Enable production of plants with high water requirements even during the driest times of the year

Offer the opportunity to grow nutritious and marketable plant species that are not consumed locally at present, such as basil, lemongrass and butternut squash.

http://www.ipcri.org/index.php/projects/sustainable-peacebuilding/61-growing-together-aquaponics-in-rural-israel-and-palestine?utm_source=Israel%2FPalestine+Creative+Regional+Initiatives+List&utm_campaign=c65e8c1ef1-newsletter+_November&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_8d8dbe66f4-c65e8c1ef1-60718853&ct=t%28newsletter_February_2014%29