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Results

Currently, aquaponics serves many worldwide communities with limited freshwater resources,
limited suitable land for other agriculture production systems and high market prices for fresh
vegetables and fish. Reports on progress include:

• In Antigua and Barbuda, entities including, Indies Greens, Lincoln Farms, Barbuda Research
Centre and individuals have adopted aquaponics. There have been activities to build awareness
of this form of food production through school tours and a fish fry. Information and resources
are limited, but Indies Greens are providing training in aquaponics. 101

• There has been research into the economic viability of aquaponics farming in South Africa,
and an organisation in Grahamstown is offering support, equipment and online training in
aquaponics. 102

• A study conducted in Mauritius found that there was considerable interest in the technology but
little knowledge of the techniques. Strong market demand for vegetables would support such
farming, although a local preference for marine fish would limit the market for the freshwater
fish used in aquaponics. 103
• Projects in Gaza have provided households with aquaponics kits and training that have enabled
them to supplement household food with vegetables and herbs. 104

From these and other projects, it has been established that hydroponics can provide households
with nutritious supplements to their food supply. It also gives small-scale farmers the potential to
earn a supplementary income and, for commercial farmers, it is a viable business with economic,
health and environmental benefits. In addition, aquaponics opens up possibilities for technology
innovation with the commercial development of equipment such as plug-and-play-type modular
aquaponic kits, solar-wind powered chilling and dehydrator units and smart water grid management
systems.

Keys to success

While aquaponic farming is relatively easy, it does require investment in equipment and training to start
with, and a base of locally-appropriate technology and techniques. For example, in areas with unstable
power, equipment that can use alternative power sources may be necessary.
Cities can support improving food security through aquaponics by partnering with researchers, agricultural
organisations and business incubators to support farmers with training, access to finance, equipment and
stock, and expert consultation. Networks of smaller producers should be encouraged to facilitate buying
equipment, fish stock, feed, and seeds in bulk, at a cheaper price and can thereby lead to opportunities
for scale up and commercialization.

Large-scale systems require careful planning and financial viability assessment including the availability
and affordability of inputs (fish feed, buildings and plumbing supplies), the cost and reliability of electricity,
access to markets and the prices those markets will support.

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