Monday, 18 January 2016

Aquaculture Hydroponics Is The Answer To The Modern Food Problems

By William Cole


There has been several questions relating to Aquaponics. The questions range from how the technology works, are the products safe for consumption, can it be set up in homes, and what the investment required among others. This simply tells you how quickly this farming technique is being adopted in the different parts of the world. Aquaponics simply refers to Aquaculture Hydroponics, an agricultural technique that harnesses the power of nature to solve food problems.

Hydroponics is simply the technique of growing plants without soil. The techniques rely on exposing the plant roots directly to waters rich in nutrients required by the plant. It has been used to successfully grow plants like lettuce, several salad greens as well as succulent herbs including basil.

The second farming method involved is the Aquaculture which is a technique that has been used in fish farming for the purpose of consumption. The two farming techniques produce waste, and the waste produced can meet each other's food requirement.

Aquaculture on the other hands is not a new farming technology as per say> it has been in existence for decades. It involves growing fish in ponds for consumption purpose. The fish grown in ponds requires feeding. The main challenge associated with aquaculture is the need to frequently change the water to minimize the toxic effect of ammonia (fish excrement). When left to accumulate, it becomes poisonous and can wipe out all the fish in the pond in a matter of hours.

The results is that little space is required to set up a structure that can support large number of fish, fruits and vegetables with little initial investment and very little input from the farmer. The nature provides the solution to its own problem, and the resulting plants are healthy, the fish grows healthy and the farmer benefits from very healthy food sources.

As such, the nitrates are left to concentrate to a suitable level after which seeds are planted in netting pots. The nitrate-laden water is allowed to wash the roots, thereby delivering nitrates directly to the roots. The plants are able to grow and thrive in this way. When the nitrates are absorbed by the plants, the water is clean again and ready to be used by the fish.

Rapid growth in population, climate change and expansion of urban centers has all contributed to a reduction farming activity. Vegetables, fruits and other agricultural products have become very expensive and almost out of reach to many middle income earners and low income households. Those who can afford the vegies are also demanding 100% organic products given the increase in chronic ailments linked to poor eating habits and consumption of chemicals like lead and other metals that are highly concentrated in some food products.

The popular plants in Aquaponics include the lettuce, the salad greens, and basil among others. In a commercial setting, the high fish population can support tomatoes, peppers, melons, cucumbers, strawberry, and others fruits. The system has a well-controlled temperature, moisture and light. Generally, the crops are considered the primary products while the fish is considered the secondary produce. The kits used in this technology are designed to support a large crop population in a area and the technique is therefore suitable for highly populated urban centers, deserts and other places with inadequate water and space.




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