AQUAPONICS BASICS

Aquaponics is a closed, water-based, scalable, and highly efficient system for raising fish and vegetables, simultaneously and sustainably. Solid fish waste is removed mechanically and broken down by bacteria into dissolved nutrients (nitrate compounds), providing plant fertilizer for the hydroponics process. Nutrient-free water is returned to the fish tanks to begin the cycle again.

Recycling decreases overall water consumption compared to conventional agriculture, especially where a rainwater catchment system is used as the source. Aquaponics' advantages over conventional crop production methods also include:

• Reduced land area requirements

• Accelerated plant growth rates

• Year-round production in a controlled environment

• Crop yields in excess of 10 times conventional farming

The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization's comprehensive technical paper #589 "Small-Scale Aquaponics Food Production" reports these findings:

• Aquaponics is an integrated approach to efficient and sustainable intensification of agriculture that meets the needs of world water-scarcity Initiatives

• Aquaponics is residue-free and avoids the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides

• In the face of population growth, climate change, and dwindling supplies of water and arable land worldwide, developing efficient and integrated agricultural techniques will support economic development

• Small-scale aquaponic projects are being widely featured in educational institutes, including, primary and secondary schools, colleges and universities, special and adult education centers, as well as community-based organizations