“There’s an aquaponic solution to every food problem” Aquaponics- integrating aquaculture with crop production “There’s an aquaponic solution to every food problem” Andrew Chambi Founding Director of Aqua Roots

Presentation Overview Issues in food production Agriculture industry, Aquaculture, Increasing food production Aquaponics How it works, Economics of aquaponics, Case for aquaponics, Existing models of aquaponics Types of aquaponic systems Deep Water, NFT etc, System components, Models, Versitility Some Examples Aqua Roots’ background

Global agriculture industry Decreasing resource availability: Arable land available per capita decreased by 40% between 1960 and 2000; Water demand increases by 64 billion cubic meters/year; agriculture accounts for 71% water withdrawals; By 2030, 47% of global population will be living under severe water stress

Global fisheries & aquaculture Fish very important source of animal protein – especially in low-income food-deficit countries (LIFDCs). Fish consumption has many health benefits: Low fat, high protein content Essential Omega 3 fatty acids Vitamins D and B2

Global fisheries & aquaculture Challenges to aquaculture industry Environmental degradation through water discharge and escapes Water supply and energy requirement Biosecurity Fishmeal based aquaculture feeds

Fish/rice culture Over 2,500 year old technique from India and Asia Rice provides a habitat for fish Rice helps purify the water Fish eat insects and circulate water Fish provide nutrients for rice Crop diversity – cereal grain and fish, crustaceans and water fowl.

Aquaculture/irrigation At least 2000 year old technique Relevant in places with stored irrigation water for terrestrial crops One way flow of water Water is used twice – once for fish, and once for plants Fish wastes fertilise the water – enhancing growth of downstream crops Presence of fish reduces pest and parasite organisms - mosquitos

How aquaponics works Aquaculture waste becomes hydroponic nutrient Hydroponic component removes nutrients and filters water Clean water returns to fish rearing tanks 3 2 1

Aquaponics Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) Water efficient Supports high stocking densities Requires high level of water filtration and treatment Creates nutrient rich effluent stream Hydroponic plant production Water and space efficient Does not require “agricultural land” Allows complete control over plants – no weeds! Nutrients supplied to plants in solution Can create dangerous, high mineral content waste stream

Economics of aquaponics Plant growth the major component. Uses 10% of the water of soil agriculture per unit crop yield. Low maintenance and management time requirement. Domestic systems can contribute greatly to food security and household economies West bank study revealed AP system could produce food with a value 30 - 50% of the average daily salary in WB/Gaza respectively. Increases the variety and quality of food available Commercial systems enable significant revenue generation from “by-products” Daily 1kg fish food  700g fish mass  8 lettuces harvested

Space efficient Water efficient Clean Crop diversity Biological system Case for aquaponics Space efficient allows high stocking and planting densities. Water efficient closed loop recirculating system. Clean zero discharge; all waste processed and used on-site. Crop diversity Plant and fish production. Biological system no chemicals allowed. Versatile can be implemented on micro to massive scale. can make use of “non agricultural” land.

System components Fish tank(s) Plumbing Water pump Air pump filter

Flood and drain Optimal growbed depth – 30cm 3 zones: wet zone, tidal zone and dry zone

DWC / floating raft Plants grown on floating sheets (styrofoam) Roots in aerated water Water depth 20-60cm Constant depth – continual flow Roots can “suffocate” if water is not well filtered prior to DWC growbed Best suited to production of small, leafy crops Favoured commercial technique

Strawberry towers Not just for strawberries! Plants grown in vertical pipes Volcanic rock, clay beads, foam strips Water trickles from top to bottom Continual flow Towers may clog if water is not well filtered

Wicking beds Hydroponic soil growing? 15cm “wicking” reservoir at base 20-30cm soil on top Water moves up into soil by capillary action Continual flow OR no flow Suitable for a wide variety of crops – including root crops

System examples - mini

System examples - mini

System examples - large

System examples - large

42 days later…

Aqua Roots Background History & Future Setup by a team with a diverse background Six years successfully implementing domestic “backyard” and commercial systems in the UK, the Middle East and Africa. Teaching and lecturing mainstream science and community aquaponics. Aim to implement community based, high production systems in the UK.