Aquaponics , a promising agriculture prospect

Aquaponics

The importance of safety of food for human consumption is increasing on a worldwide demand. By the role of disruption of technology, food industry keeps evolving. Aquaponics is a breakthrough combination of aquaculture and hydroponic systems. Nutrient rich waste water from the aquaculture system is directed into the hydroponic system. Plants will absorb the nutrient from the waste water, and improve or purify the water quality for the aquaculture system. This provides an eco- friendly as well as sustainable system for the agriculture sector.

Aquaculture represents fish farming, one system where commercial fishes are reared in containers, ponds or tanks. A recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) can be defined as an aquaculture system that incorporates the treatment and reuse of water, with less than 10% of total water volume replaced per day. It control everything from the temperature, salinity and pH of the water. Also, its oxygen levels, artificial currents, lighting cycles, and removal of carbon dioxide and waste. The latter are filtered out, and treated water is reused.

 This type of agriculture might mean a stepped-up investment. However it is one that creates another revenue stream (from fish) linked with more profitable plant production. Aquaponics presents an opportunity to rethink the indoor fish farming, to bring in more money at the farm gate. The trends of new millennium in environmental regulation, are limiting the amount of water which may be consumed or discharged. In aquaponics, waste water from the aquaculture is filtered and the is recirculated into the system.

Agriculture

Many industrial agriculture operations use pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers to control the growing process. However these inputs raise environmental and health concerns. Aquaponics systems are largely self-regulating, with no need for chemical additives or fertilizers. Water use is another issue in agriculture, with global food production accounting for 70 % of fresh water use. Rising environmental concerns and growing demand for different uses of production inputs set new challenges for aquaculture development.

Currently crop production and fish farming occupy vast regions of the Earth’s surface. They have a strong negative impact on the environment by inducing soil erosion; polluting the soil and groundwater. The causes includes pesticides, fertilizers, and animal waste; the production of greenhouse gases; and in many other ways. Yet, for the economic and social benefit aspects there should be  conceptionalisation, empirical validation and operationalization. It also requires more data in order to inform the development of aquaponic technology with regard to delivering its potentials to contribute to sustainable food production.

References

1. Wilson G., ′′Greenhouses Aquaponics Proves Superior to Inorganic Hydroponics′′, Aquaponics Journal, 2005.
2. Edwards P 2015 Aquaculture environment interactions: past, present and likely future trends Aquaculture Research for the Next 40 Years of Sustainable Global Aquaculture 447 2–14
3. McIntyre,   2016.  “Report  on  technological  solutions for  sustainable  agriculture  in  the  EU.” Committee  on Agriculture and Rural Development. 19p
4. Hoevenaars, Kyra & Junge, Ranka & Bardocz, Tamas & Leskovec, Matej. (2018). EU policies: New opportunities for aquaponics. Ecocycles
5. http://iaas.or.id/agritalk-understanding-recirculating-aquaculture-system/
6. https://www.howtoaquaponic.com/fish/salmon-aquaponics/