Sustainability What are the environmental benefits of aquaponics?

By Javier Mendoza

Aquaponics is a sustainable food-growing method that combines aquaculture (the cultivation of fish) with hydroponics (the growing of plants without soil). This method offers a number of environmental benefits over traditional agricultural practices

Aquaponics uses up to 90% less water than traditional agriculture.

In a traditional farm, water is often lost to evaporation and runoff and must be constantly replenished However, in an aquaponic system, the water is recycled and reused, making it a much more efficient use of resources This not only conserves water in already water-deprived areas but also reduces the amount of water pollution caused by agricultural runoff.

Aquaponics is a closed system, meaning that it does not rely on external inputs such as fertilizer or pesticides.

Instead, fish waste provides a natural source of nutrients for the plants, and beneficial bacteria in the system convert the waste into a form that the plants can use. This eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which can be harmful to the environment