Q&A with Lars Hededam - Discussing NjordFrey and their technology

By Ange M. C Ishimwe

Founder Profile

Lars Hededam is the CEO and Co-Founder of NjordFrey. He brings a wealth of expertise in development and food technology with 15 years of experience spanning across working in large companies, restaurants, and startups. He has been operating in East Africa for 9 years. Lars holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies and a Master’s degree in Global Studies, both from Roskilde University in Denmark. 

This Q&A session dives into his startup NjordFrey in Kigali, Rwanda – learning about their technology and how they are enhancing the aquaponic farming industry and supporting smallholder farmers.

Q: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind NjordFrey?

A: The inspiration behind NjordFrey is deeply rooted in Norse mythology, combining two powerful Scandinavian gods: Njord and Frey. Njord is the god of the sea and fish, while Frey is the god of agriculture. Together, these deities symbolise the integration of aquaculture and agriculture, which is at the heart of our mission.

We chose this name to reflect our approach to sustainable farming, emphasising the synergy between water-based and land-based food production systems. Unlike many organisations with names suggesting a charitable or merciful approach, we wanted a name that signifies our commitment to creating a substantial impact through innovative practices. We’re not in Rwanda to “save” anyone, but rather to implement effective, impactful solutions that improve lives and promote sustainability.

Our journey began when I was in Rwanda in 2016, initially seeking employment. During this time, I observed significant gaps in the agricultural sector, particularly among smallholder farmers who owned limited land and had low nutritional levels. Many existing models focused on large-scale farming, which wasn’t feasible for Rwanda’s 2 million smallholder farmers. These models couldn’t provide enough employment or adequately address the needs of subsistence farmers who lacked alternative job opportunities and resources to buy affordable produce.

We also noticed that many solutions aimed at small farmers, referred to as “frugal solutions,” were not sufficiently impactful. These low-cost, minimally effective solutions could only marginally improve farmers’ situations. To make a real difference, we needed a solution that significantly boosts productivity without requiring farmers to risk their land or become dependent on large, industrial farms.

Recognising the importance of animal protein in nutrition, especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under five, we focused on integrating fish and vegetable production. Aquaponics, a system I had experience with on a smaller scale, offered a promising solution. It allowed for fish farming and vegetable cultivation on small plots of land, increasing overall food production and nutritional value.

Q: What key technological innovations does NjordFrey employ to enhance the aquaponic farming solutions and support smallholder farmers in increasing their income? And how do they function?

A: NjordFrey employs a range of technological innovations to enhance its aquaponic farming solutions, specifically designed to support smallholder farmers in increasing their income. Here’s a detailed look at the key innovations and how they function:

1. Group Financing and Land Allocation:

NjordFrey organises groups of at least 40 farmers and assists them in securing financing for the aquaponic system. This financing includes acquiring one hectare of land, which is located outside their own land to minimise risk. The company acts as a business guarantor for loans from development banks, commercial banks, and development agencies.

2. Construction and Training:

The aquaponic system is built with the assistance of the farmers. NjordFrey provides two years of intensive training and support to get the farmers to a proficient level. Farmers are trained in standard operating procedures, covering daily tasks and the theory behind them. This training is tailored to leverage their existing skills, considering their limited formal education.

3. Sensor Monitoring System:

NjordFrey uses a sensor array to monitor the system continuously. This includes off-the-shelf sensors and advanced sensors developed in collaboration with universities. Sensors measure water quality parameters like pH, temperature, oxygen levels, and nitrogen levels. Data is sent via the internet to NjordFrey, where it is analysed. Alerts are provided to farmers if something is about to go wrong, such as a spike in ammonia levels. This allows for timely interventions, ensuring optimal production conditions.

Q: Looking ahead, what future developments or innovations can we expect from NjordFrey as it continues to evolve in the dynamic landscape of technology and agriculture?

A: Looking ahead, NjordFrey is poised for significant developments and innovations as it continues to evolve within the dynamic landscape of technology and agriculture. One of the primary goals is to transition from being an asset-centric company to a pure technology-focused company. This shift will involve extensive data collection in real-time from potentially hundreds of farms. By leveraging this massive influx of data, NjordFrey plans to implement advanced data analysis and machine learning techniques to derive valuable insights, optimise operations, and enhance overall productivity.

We also have ambitious expansion plans, increasing our MVP to 1ha full farm size in a year, targeting the establishment of 32 farms across East Africa, starting from our base in Rwanda, within the next 2 to 4 years. Looking further ahead, our vision includes having 2,000 partner farms throughout Rwanda and the greater sub-Saharan Africa region within 5 to 10 years. This expansion strategy underscores our commitment to significantly impacting local communities by providing access to healthy fish and vegetables from locally operated NjordFrey farms.

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