SemiaridLab

SemiaridLAB

The SemiaridLAB is an initiative developed based in self-sustainability values and model operation. A self-sustainable habitat means to produce the own food, recycling waste, sewage and using renewables. This concept would be applied to space habitats and to Earth remote /arid areas, as affected by heatwaves, climate change and droughts.

In SemiaridLAB is operating a greenhouse with aquaponics technologies, producing Tilapia fish and vegetables. This knowledge is transferred for students and local population. Because these actions, Julio Rezende can be considered a great entrepreneur in academia with impact in local economy. The projects developed by Julio Rezende can be considered very entrepreneurial.

SemiaridLAB is the only self-sustainable habitat in the World to operate an aquaponic system producingtilapia fish. The operation of an aquaponic system brings a great importance to this initiative configuring and colaborating to SemiaridLAB be self-sustainable, producing food to community in SemiaridLAB, been unique in South hemishere. SemiaridLAB is based in the rural area of Caiçara do Rio do Vento, in Rio Grande do Norte State.

The connection with Sustainable Development Goals:

The initiatives of SemiaridLAB are also connected with education and research related to Space, Sustainability, Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (S3TEM) when is integrated to students and researchers, showing the role of transferring knowledge and technologies to rural producers, students and teachers for the eradication of poverty (SDG1); fighting hunger (SDG2); promotion of education (SDG4) and sustainability (SDG13). 

The greenhouse BioHabitat, part of SemiaridLAB  records an expansion  from an area of 12 meters to 120 meters. Part of this area accommodates the Deep Water Culture Aquaponic Unit (#DWC), as well as two seeders. Students were introduced to the value of rural producers and the need to incorporate #innovation such as the case of aquaponics, which has the role of producing food with greater #water savings. He highlighted the role of small producers.