1. “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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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 % 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

11. 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.

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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. System examples - mini

18. System examples - mini

19. System examples - large

20. System examples - large

22. 42 days later…

23. 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.