Aquaponic Growing System (PA Technology)

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Last modified by Axel Heinemann on 2014-11-08. This is a wiki so please feel free to update information by clicking on "Edit with form". | Printable version

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Name of technology example:		Type
Aquaponic Growing System		☐ Energy Efficiency ☑ Renewable Energy ☑ Alternative Methodology

Description	Aquaponics is a food production system that combines conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in a symbiotic environment. In normal aquaculture, excretions from the animals being raised can accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity. In an aquaponic system, water from an aquaculture system is fed to a hydroponic system where the by-products are broken down by nitrogen-fixing bacteria into nitrites and nitrates, which are utilized by the plants as nutrients. The water is then recirculated back to the aquaculture system. As existing hydroponic and aquaculture farming techniques form the basis for all aquaponics systems, the size, complexity, and types of foods grown in an aquaponics system can vary as much as any system found in either distinct farming discipline. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaponics)
Technology for the Application of	☑ Solar ☐ Biomass ☐ Biofuel ☐ Biogas ☑ Wind ☐ Geo-Thermal ☐ Hydro ☐ Energy Efficiency ☑ Other: Any electrical power or heat provided by renewables
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps	☐ Mechanization ☐ Efficiency of Operation ☐ Processing ☐ Transportation ☐ Controlled Atmosphere ☐ Controlled Temperature ☐ Mechanical Sorting ☐ Preservation ☑ Other: Alternative methodology
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities	☐ Grinding ☐ Hauling and conveying ☐ Sorting ☐ Seedbed Preparation ☐ Milling ☐ Tearing ☐ Planting ☐ Washing ☐ Mixing ☐ Pumping ☐ Heating ☐ Drying ☑ Irrigation ☐ Cooling ☐ Animal feeding ☑ Fertilizing ☐ Venting ☐ Animal health and Welfare ☐ Pest Management ☐ Lighting ☐ Packing and branding ☐ Cutting ☐ Sanitation ☑ Other: Alternative methodology
Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups	☐ Cereals ☐ Fruits and vegetables ☐ Nuts and berries ☐ Forage ☐ Dairy products ☐ Meat products ☐ Oil Seeds ☐ Roots and Tubers ☐ Eggs ☐ Pulses ☐ Fiber Crops ☐ Forestry ☐ Sugars ☐ Stimulants ☐ Spices ☐ Other: /
Region & Country of Development	Region ☐ Africa ☐ South Asia ☑ East Asia & The Pacific - China ☑ Europe & Central Asia - Switzerland ☐ Latin America & The Caribbean ☐ Middle East & North Africa ☑ North America - United States of America ☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of Current Deployment	Worldwide ☑ Africa ☑ South Asia ☑ East Asia & The Pacific ☑ Europe & Central Asia ☑ Latin America & The Caribbean ☑ Middle East & North Africa ☑ North America ☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of Potential Deployment	Worldwide ☑ Africa ☑ South Asia ☑ East Asia & The Pacific ☑ Europe & Central Asia ☑ Latin America & The Caribbean ☑ Middle East & North Africa ☑ North America ☐ N/A: /
Manufacturers
Economics
Technology Development Level	Pilot projects and first implementation;
Required Maintenance Technical Level	Medium: Technology can be maintained through its life cycle with uncommon tools and requires moderate training for maintenance;
Required Infrastructure for Deployment	Low: Technology can be developed with less common tools, low development level supporting technologies and moderately trained personnel;
Required Resources during manufacture	Wood, plastics, pumps, aerators;
Required Resources during operation	Electricity, heat (depending on the climate zone) and fish feed;
Deployment Level	Prototype testing and local availability;
Deployment Capability and Potential	The technology can be widely deployed but resources or material supply and distribution chains are required;
Requirements for Deployment	Trainings and material supply and distribution chains are required;
Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security	High; Energy and Service independent: requires only supporting of low-tech technology;
Environment Impacts (emissions)	Low: no direct emissions but indirect emissions;
Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules	High;
Additional information / Comments	No comments.
Internal Reference
Additional Links	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquaponics http://aquaponics.com/media/docs/articles/Aquaponics-for-Developing-Countries.pdf https://www.amshaafrica.org/projects-and-clients/current-projects/aquaponics-in-rural-kenya.html http://afsic.nal.usda.gov/aquaculture-and-soilless-farming/aquaponics http://www.aquaponics.org.uk/ http://project.zhaw.ch/de/science/aqua-vet/downloads.html

"Renewable Energy, Alternative Methodology" is not in the list (Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Alternative Methodology) of allowed values for the "PAT Type" property.