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ACUAPONÍA EJE RAÍZ

South America Colombia Primary Production Transformation/Processing Individual/informal Micro Local Agriculture/Agroecology Food Processing/Products Goods & Products

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About

An aquaponics farm producing basil pesto, kale pesto and pickled cucumbers using recirculating water system

ACUAPONÍA EJE RAÍZ is a small-scale aquaponics project located in Santa Rosa de Cabal, Risaralda. It operates a water recirculation system that combines fish farming with plant cultivation, allowing for sustainable food production. Founded by an agronomist engineer, the initiative has a minimal organizational structure consisting of only three people, and focuses on the production of unique products such as basil pesto, lime pesto and sweet pickled cucumbers. The founder has developed a more economical approach to aquaponics, using recycled materials and experimenting with various crops. The initiative is committed to sharing knowledge and fostering a connection with the local community, emphasizing the importance of growing food without chemicals and promoting agroecology.

Watch our story

Our journey

2019

Juan Carlos Molina, an agronomist, founded Acuaponía Eje Raíz in December 2019, starting with an initial investment of 5 million pesos in a small home-based system in Cerritos, Pereira.

2020

The COVID-19 pandemic arrived just three to four months after launch, providing Juan Carlos with extra time to develop and refine artisanal solutions, such as replacing costly bio-balls with recycled bottle caps for bacterial filtration.

2021

A workshop was held with children at a local rural school in Santa Rosa de Cabal, where students built and now manage their own small aquaponics system, marking a key community education milestone.

2021-2022

After outgrowing his home setup, Juan Carlos invested 25–26 million pesos to expand to a friend's farm in Santa Rosa de Cabal, establishing an 80 m² greenhouse with two aquaponics systems over roughly one year.

2022-2023

Through the Cámara de Comercio, the University of Santa Rosa, and the Alcaldía de Pereira, Juan Carlos obtained INVIMA certifications for his pesto de albahaca and pesto de kale products at no cost, enabling formal commercial distribution.

2024

Acuaponía Eje Raíz applied to an Artesanías de Risaralda international trade fair in Miami and registered for a new Fondo Emprender (SENA) funding round, pursuing international market entry and financial growth.

What We Offer

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Artisanal pesto and pickled cucumber products

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Aquaponics workshops and talks for communities

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School aquaponics system built with children

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Advisory services for new aquaponics projects

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Water-recycling system saving 95% water

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Food security solutions for rural communities

What We're Looking For

🔍Fondo Emprender SENA grant funding

🔍Community organizations for social impact projects

🔍International market access especially USA

🔍Communities to adopt aquaponics food production

🔍Technology automation and sensor development

Our Team

Juan Molina