From Love to Business
In 2022, French entrepreneur Cyril Courjeau contributed significantly to agriculture in Uzbekistan by building the country's first aquaponic system. Visit Uzbekistan sat down with the founder to hear his professional and personal success story.
Text by Fatima Abdieva
What is aquaponics?
Aquaponics is an artificial ecosystem in which three living organisms are key: aquatic animals (usually fish), plants and bacteria. It works on the principle of any ecosystem containing fish and plants: the fish provide food to the plants, and the plants purify the water. The essence of this method is the use of the waste products of aquatic animals (fish, shrimp) as a nutrient for plants. Aquatic animals emit waste products that are toxic to their own species, such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphoric compounds, and carbon dioxide. The accumulation of these substances in water is a major problem both in closed industrial aquaculture and in a simple aquarium. This problem is solved in aquaponics: fish waste products are disposed of by bacteria and plants.
What attracted you to move to Uzbekistan?
The main reason I came here is, of course, love. Ironically, I met the love of my life in Paris. Thanks to my wife, I got to know Uzbekistan and, frankly, I was fascinated by its beauty.
Since my first trip to Uzbekistan, colourful memories of mosques and minarets have remained in my memory. Turquoise domes, lace ornaments and bright wall mosaics excited my imagination for a long time. When I returned to France, I realised that Uzbekistan is a young country full of opportunities for new beginnings. It was then that I decided to take a chance and move here to start life on a new page.
How did you first find your way in Uzbekistan?
I am a specialist in the field of construction by education and have worked in several large construction companies. When I finally moved to Uzbekistan, my wife helped me acquire useful acquaintances. For a very long time, I dreamed of launching an environmental project through which I could contribute and change the world for the better. Currently, there is a global trend to create aquaponic systems and I realised that Uzbekistan also needed it.
As I persevered with the project, I understood that I was taking a risk, but I also knew that it was impossible to create a revolution quickly. In 2020, I met Bill Kralovec (Director of the Tashkent International School) after I sent him my resume, on the recommendation of a mutual colleague who told him about my background in the field of construction and aquaponic systems. Since he was already familiar with the system, he was happy to support my project and gave me the opportunity to create a bioclimatic greenhouse, where there are a lot of fish and vegetables are grown at the moment.
Tell us about your plans for the future.
My plans for the near future are to bring the aquaponic system to a new level of recognition in Uzbekistan. I want people to understand the importance and benefits of aquaponics.
The Tashkent International School System is built on 80% recycled materials in order to teach students about environmental problems. It is a bioclimatic greenhouse, which means that it takes advantage of the natural heat and cold of the environment to regulate the temperature inside the greenhouse. The system also uses a heat recovery system to capture heat or cold from underground channels and use them to heat or cool the greenhouse.
Rapid poll
Top three traditional Uzbek dishes?
Definitely plov! Having joined the Uzbek culture, I got so carried away that I didn't even notice how I began to show interest in cooking, and my mother-in-law taught me how to cook plov properly in Uzbek. The second dish that I have grown very fond of during my stay here is lagman. I associate this dish with Central Asian spaghetti. And third, it's not really a dish, but all foreigners fall in love with the first taste – I'm talking about lepyoshka (bread). We also have our own bread in France, but Uzbek bread has an amazing taste – you can't stop eating it, especially if it's hot.
Favourite city in Uzbekistan?
For me, the old city of Bukhara is probably the best place where you can feel the atmosphere of the ancient East and the authenticity of the Uzbek way of life. All the main sights of Bukhara are compactly located in the centre. They are interesting and also offer the opportunity to walk along the narrow streets of the old city.
What advice would you give to people visiting Uzbekistan?
Be polite and respect people. This is my main policy. Uzbekistan also impressed me with its hospitality. The ability to receive a guest is valued by Uzbeks above wealth. Dear guests are greeted by the hosts at the door. During the handshake, they are mutually interested in your health and life. This is the best legacy from the ancestors.
What is your favourite hobby? How do you spend your leisure time?
One of my main hobbies is wood carving. Working with a natural material that has its own natural smell and texture is very pleasant. Wood products look stylish at all times. To be honest, I am self-taught. I have all the tools to work with wood, and in my free time, I create things for my house.
