Growing Resilience: Our Journey with Hydroponics and Aquaponics at R.E.L.N

At RELN, innovation in agriculture has never been just an idea it has been a lived practice. Over the past years, we have actively designed, built, and tested hydroponic and aquaponic systems as sustainable solutions to food insecurity, youth unemployment, and climate pressure in Cameroon. These systems were not laboratory concepts; they were hands-on learning spaces where crops, technology, and people grew together.

Our hydroponic systems are set up using PVC pipes and tapeline irrigation, carefully arranged in rows to allow water and nutrients to flow efficiently to plant roots. Seedlings are placed in net cups filled with inert growing media, while a nutrient-rich solution circulates through the pipes. This method drastically reduces water use, eliminates soil-borne diseases, and allows crops to grow faster and more uniformly an ideal solution for urban and peri-urban farming where land is limited.

Alongside this, our aquaponic systems integrate fish tanks with grow beds. Water from the fish tanks rich in natural nutrients is pumped through pipes to nourish plants, while the plants filter and clean the water before it returns to the fish. This closed-loop system demonstrates how nature-inspired design can maximize productivity while minimizing waste. Using simple piping, gravity flow, and low-energy pumps, the system remains affordable and replicable for smallholder farmers.

Through these setups, we have trained and mentored farmers, youth, and community groups, showing them how to assemble, maintain, and scale these systems using locally available materials. Beyond farming, participants learn entrepreneurship, record-keeping, and climate-smart practices skills that extend far beyond the greenhouse.

Unfortunately, due to political crisis and ongoing instability, we were forced to suspend on-site activities and could not continue operating these systems at full capacity. Despite this setback, the vision remains alive. Our next critical step is securing a permanent and stable site where RELN can resume demonstrations, expand training, and serve as a regional hub for sustainable agriculture innovation.

Investing in RELN’s hydroponic and aquaponic programs means investing in resilience, food security, and green jobs. Our work aligns directly with Cameroon’s development priorities and key UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 6 (Clean Water), SDG 8 (Decent Work), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). It also resonates strongly with EU priorities on climate-smart agriculture, youth empowerment, and sustainable innovation.

With the right partnerships, sponsorships, and infrastructure, we are ready to restart, scale, and transform how food is grown efficiently, sustainably, and inclusively. At RELN, we are not just growing plants; we are growing solutions for the future.