About Us

Dirk and Sam Koen’s decision to move to Merweville at the beginning of 2023, was made for health reasons. In a quest to slow down, live off the grid and to grow their own fresh produce they loved the aquaponics system, as it ticked all the ecologically sustainable boxes – produce is grown organically, in a closed system, so scarce water is continually recycled and the fish give an added source of protein.

It soon became clear that there was a huge need for fresh produce in the Central Karoo and the idea of a small, home aquaponics system quickly turned into a commercial unit.

Dirk’s professional engineering background allowed him to redesign and develop an aquaponics system using low maintenance, cost effective and energy efficient solutions, that worked with mother nature and not against her.

With skills development very close to Dirk and Sam’s hearts, the construction phase gave many of the local community the opportunity to learn new building skills using only locally sourced materials; stone from the veld and the koppies and sand from the dry river bed – building skills which they can put to good use in future projects in the area.

the first vegetables were harvested at the end of April 2024

After some hard lessons learnt and having overcome several tough challenges, the first vegetables were harvested at the end of April 2024 and Karoo Aquaponics Merweville now supplies mixed salad packs, celery, tomatoes and herbs to the local as well as Prince Albert retail and hospitality markets and have secured additional retail and restaurant markets, once production increases.

In the not-to-distant future, Karoo Koppie Tea Garden & Deli will open, which will give visitors a chance to sit back and soak in the sounds of running water and lush greenery, in this Karoo oasis.

Local Community Project

A local community project is also in the planning stages, which will involve exchanging of plastic and tins for vegetables, giving the local community access to fresh, healthy, greens. The recycled material, in turn, will be made into useful products, helping with the development of small business and much needed employment in the Merweville community.

So, for Dirk and Sam, time to sit and snooze has taken a back seat. There is much to do at Karoo Aquaponics Merweville, for now and in the near future.