Aquaponics workshop. Image Credit: Maciej Wojnicki (Flickr)
April 12, 2018 Aquaponics 3,518 Comments

Maybe aquaponics in the city sounds crazy, but one of the ways aquaponics is truly special is the ability to place a system almost anywhere. Small urban systems are becoming increasingly popular, and if you are a city dweller this is the perfect way to provide food for your family and as well as having a profitable business.

Our cities are expanding, and the amount of people living in megacities increases year by year. Now over half of the global population lives in cities, whereas 100 years ago this was only 20%. This also means that much of the previously rural landscape is now being taken over, so a method of food production within urban environments seems an obvious necessity.

The beauty of aquaponics is that a large amount of food can be grown in a fraction of the space that traditional farming methods require, so urban environments are perfect for smaller operations. Numerous ‘rooftop’ systems have been cropping up in numerous locations in the US, and rather unexpectedly in the Gaza Strip. Learn more here.

In London’s East end, a group visionaries supporting aquaponics in the city have also proven how successful this can be. ‘Farm: Shop’ in Hackney is both a café, shop and a farm – the world’s first of its kind. People can pick their own mint for their mint tea, and select vegetables to take home. The shop not only aims to be a pioneer in the world of sustainable farming, but also to maintain a commercial business whilst educating and inspiring visitors to want to grow their own.

Learn more here.

Aquaponics in India will soon be offering consultancy services. Please get in touch for more details.

Written by Pippa Woodhead
Being a health-nut, London born Pippa has struggled to adjust to the lack of availability of lettuce and kale since re-locating to India. Previously naive to the extent of the worlds food struggles, she has now become obsessed with sustainability in food production and especially in India where it needs it the most (plus she’s also hoping to get her hands on some kale any day now). When she’s not writing for Aquaponics in India, she is usually found with her head in a book or in the kitchen experimenting with new vegetarian recipes.