Spirulina is an algae and grows like other algae in water, in our case in extremely salty groundwater, which we bring to the surface using a pump.
After the tanks are filled with water, the Spirulina culture is added, the seed you put into the soil, so to speak. From that moment on Spirulina doubles constantly and pretty soon the basins look as green as in our photos. In order for growth to be optimal and for all algae to be provided with sufficient oxygen and light, it is necessary to mix the water in the tanks several times a day. The easiest way to do this in Turkana is with a broom. The growth of Spirulina is impressive! Pretty soon, the spirulina concentration increases to the point where the individual algae knot together and float to the surface. Now it’s time to harvest! And very simple with sieves or cloths. After that, the algae is dried by the solar energy in a solar stove and then grinded. Packed in small bags, the spirulina is ready. For new spirulina to grow in the basins you don’t have to do anything but wait. The remaining algae, which were not fished out of the basin, continue to double and after a short time you can harvest again.