Aquaponics is a culmination of aquaculture and hydroponics, but what are they individually?

Aquaculture

Aquaculture is fish farming, and is a system of agriculture dating back thousands of years. 3500 BC in China is when the first farming of the common carp began, and remnants of ancient Egypt in 2500 BC show depictions of tilapia being fished out of a tank.

It is the process of collecting fish from the sea or river, and keeping them in managed environments for easy harvesting. Fish raised in an aquaculture system count for 40% of the worlds consumed fish (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1998). The value of aquaculture in the US is thought to be as much as$1.13 billion per year.

We love this Huffington Post article 9 Surprising Fish Farming Facts.

Hydroponics

Hydroponics is the process of growing plants without soil. As a result of getting the exact the right nutrients, water and oxygen, they grow roughly twice as fast as if they were in soil and four times the amount of crops can be grown in the same space as regular soil farming. Only 10% of the water is needed as compared with traditional soil farming, and NO chemicals are necessary for plants to thrive.

Hydroponics. Credit: takato marui (Flickr)

Hydroponics. Credit: takato marui (Flickr)

The principles of such farming have been around since ancient times, but were only been brought to prominence in the early 20TH Century. In World War 2 soldiers on Pacific islands used hydroponic systems to grow their vegetables.

Some things were just meant to be together. Like Simon and Garfunkel, sun and sea, and piña and colada. Aquaculture and Hydroponics are also a match made in heaven, and it’s the beginning of a beautiful romance!

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

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.