A local startup by the name of immici Microfarms is looking to get up and running, to bring its sustainable idea to market. Supported by ZAAR Crowdfunding Malta, the idea is a pretty good one, and what makes it good is that it can be scaled from commercial size to hobbyist. But what exactly is it that immici offers?
Fully sustainable
immici Microfarms will produce herbs, salads, vegetables, fruit and mushrooms along with Tilapia fish. Marine seafoods will also be available soon, including Shrimp, Lobster, Oysters, Clams, Sea Urchin (Uni), Sea Bass and Gilt-head Seabream. The micro-farm plan is also a pretty effective one, especially for Malta.
These micro-farms combine aquariums with fish inside and soil-less plant spaces. This technique uses 97% less water than conventional agriculture. The idea is based on aquaponics: the combination of aquaculture and hydroponics.
Aquaculture, which is growing fish and other aquatic animals, and hydroponics is growing plants without soil. Aquaponics uses these two in a symbiotic combination in which plants are fed the aquatic animals’ discharge or waste.
immici products are grown in combined ecosystems using no artificial chemical pesticides or fertilisers. Although within organic farming some chemicals are allowed, immici uses aquaponics and multitrophic culture, including dualponics, which cannot use any artificial chemicals at all, as these are harmful to fish, animals and beneficial microbiome.
What’s the end goal?
immici’s target is to reduce food miles and the overall carbon footprint by supplying through local area agents serving their neighbours. This way, the distance customers need to travel for their orders is reduced. immici produce will be available directly from the Microfarm, from local area agents and from the Ta’ Qali Farmer’s market.
You can donate to immici’s noble cause via the ZAAR crowdfunding page here, and do your part to support the creation of healthy foods that are both delicious and sustainable!
