Since Friday January 28, two recovery containers have been installed in the popular district of Lyon Mermoz (VIIIth arrondissement). In this vertical urban farm, placed on land “in transition” made available by the metropolis of Lyon (Rhône), 500 kg of trout and many vegetables will be produced each year. The fruit of three years of work for Guillaume De Masi and Thibault Fuzier. “We started in our garden with the aim of producing in the city, with the lowest possible environmental impact”, explain the two 27-year-old engineers.
Their project operates in a closed circuit. Fish generate waste, naturally transformed into fertilizer (mainly nitrate) by bacteria. The same fertilizer used at the end of the chain to grow several varieties of aromatic herbs and salads. “It’s aquaponics. Historically, this is how the rice fields in Asia functioned,” says Thibault Fuzier.
Duplicate the model everywhere in France
The first trouts are expected within a year and the vegetables before. “The idea is to give part of the production to the inhabitants. The rest will be sold to restaurants and local outlets,” continues Guillaume De Masi. Explanatory workshops will also be organized with residents, schools and social centres.
Ultimately, the idea of the two young entrepreneurs is to duplicate their model throughout France. “That’s why we use containers. It’s modular and can be positioned anywhere. A supermarket can, for example, install it near its store to produce ultra-locally,” concludes Thibault Fuzier.
–
