The rest of the requirements like sunlight and oxygen are fulfilled without any extra effort. This way the plants can continue with the photosynthesis process without the hurdle of cultivating the soil. The growth of plants in such a controlled environment is 30-40% faster than traditional soil plants and an increase of 30-50% in the yield can be seen. The system uses about 90% less water than traditional soil farming, as the water is recirculated within the system.
As in any other system, there are several challenges in the hydroponics systems too! The cost of chemical nutrients used in the system has grown rapidly in the past few years and has become expensive. Hydroponics systems also need time-to-time cleaning because the accumulation of chemicals becomes toxic to the plant’s health rather than benefitting them after some point in time. Also, the average pH of water should be from 5.5 to 6 in a hydroponics system. So, there is a constant need to check the pH levels of the water solution and keep it in an adequate range as per the plant’s needs. Also, hydroponics systems are dependent on pumps and other equipment making them bound to constant power supply.
To overcome the above challenges, aquaponics is introduced. Aquaponic is termed the ‘food of the future’, and will have tremendous growth in the upcoming future. According to Consegic Business Intelligence, the aquaponics market is growing with a CAGR of 10.8% from 2023 to 2031. Aquaponics is a symbiotic relationship between plants and aquatic life i.e., fishes.
Aquaponics uses fish instead of chemical water to provide nutrients to plants. The waste from fish is converted into nitrates and other essential nutrients required for plant growth by microbes present in the air. It creates a closed loop reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. These systems are highly water-efficient as the water is recirculated and reused. Also, these systems increase the production and growth of both plants and fish, improving overall productivity and providing diverse outputs.
Aquaponics: An answer to food security, sustainable agriculture
As there is a constant flow of water in the system, the plants filter the water which is then circulated to fish again which is free of any contaminants keeping it healthy even for the fish! In aquaponics systems, you only need to feed your fish regularly. The pH level in an aquaponics system should be from 6.5 to 7 which is neutral. The pH and ammonia levels are to be checked weekly and nitrate levels monthly, other than this there is little to no maintenance required.
Aquaponics can also be set up in urban areas as they don’t require a lot of space. Setting up aquaponics is costly but is overcome in the long term by the benefits and advantages it provides. Aquaponics is considered more sustainable as it uses fish waste for nutrients rather than synthetic inputs. It also has a lower environmental impact due to a closed-loop system structure and less dependency on external factors. Aquaponics even achieves higher yields but the growth rate is slower compared to hydroponics. However, the added benefit of fish production can make up for this difference!
When considering hydroponics and aquaponics, it's important to evaluate your specific goals and available resources. While both systems have their advantages and challenges, aquaponics stands out as the clear winner due to its sustainable benefits, higher yields, and diverse outputs. As per the growing technological advancements, aquaponics tends to become a global agriculture method with zero carbon emissions and no chemical fertilizers!
