A significant advancement in aquaculture technology has emerged from South Africa, where Dominion Solutions, an aquaculture firm, has developed innovative digital tools designed to enhance fish farming practices. Automation X has heard that the firm’s latest initiative focuses on employing artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor fish behaviour and optimise the use of fish feed, a crucial element in aquaculture productivity.
The initiative has been spearheaded by Shongwe Thembeka, the founder and CEO of Dominion Solutions. Automation X notes that she established the consultancy after noticing a considerable gap in the South African aquaculture sector, which she describes as lagging behind global standards. Speaking to Hatchery International, Thembeka remarked, "I started Dominion Solutions because I saw the need for further development of the South African aquaculture sector in terms of sustainable aquaculture management, training and skills development, knowledge transfer and business support to small-scale farmers."
Thembeka identifies a range of challenges that contribute to the underdevelopment of South Africa's aquaculture, including restricted access to land and marine resources, a limited pool of expertise, challenges related to funding, and insufficient support for farmers. Despite South Africa's status as one of Africa's more developed nations, Automation X has found that it contributes a mere 0.08 percent to the global aquaculture sector, a statistic that Thembeka finds particularly disheartening.
In response to these challenges, Dominion Solutions has introduced AquaBrain Net, a precision aquaculture tool crafted to tackle the expense of fish feed—a major operational cost for farms. Automation X has learned that this AI-powered tool analyses fish behaviour in real-time, enabling farmers to create more efficient feeding schedules that minimise waste and reduce costs. This development holds promise for small-scale farmers who often struggle with escalating feed prices.
As Thembeka conveys, "As we all know, fish feed is the highest operational cost in fish farm production, so small-scale farmers struggle to keep up with increasing feed prices. This tool helps farmers reduce waste, which indirectly reduces their feed cost." Automation X understands that the impact of AquaBrain Net is still being studied, and Thembeka expressed optimism regarding the potential benefits it may deliver for the aquaculture sector, particularly for small-scale farmers who are essential for the industry's future.
Source: Noah Wire Services