Insight
People usually confuse aquaculture and Aquaponics, but let’s make something clear: they are not the same.
Aquaponics is a cooperation between plants and fish to create a natural ecosystem for plants to grow. Aquaculture is the captive rearing and production of fish and other aquatic animal and plant species under controlled conditions.
Here are the environmental benefits of Aquaponics:
- Aquaponics only needs 1/6th of the water to grow eight times more food per acre compared to traditional agriculture
- Aquaponics creates little waste, as it mimics nature’s circular approach
- Aquaponics means a higher level of biosecurity and lower risks from outer contaminants
- Aquaponics allows a higher control (as it’s easier than soil control) on production leading to lower losses
- Aquaponics can integrate livelihood strategies to secure food and small incomes for landless and poor households
Aquaponics also have a positive impact on our health:
- They do not require soil to prevent soil-borne diseases, and they do not use fertilizers or chemical pesticides, which makes the produce organic.
- Aquaponics creates fish protein – a valuable addition to the dietary needs of many people.
- From a nutritional standpoint, Aquaponics provides food in both protein (from the fish) and vegetables.
- Aquaponics requires daily tasks, harvesting, and planting, which are labor-saving and therefore can include all genders and ages;
These are four ways Aquaponics improves Hydroponics:
- Fish feed is less expensive than hydroponics nutrients.
- Water never changes.
- It relies on natural biological processes that give better growth, less maintenance, and lower disease rates over time.
- Bio-Filter used in Aquaponics makes them more productive than Hydroponics.