|
Information
Commercial Aquaponics
Aquaponics is the combination of recirculation aquaculture
and hydroponics. Please review the
Aquaponics Overview and the
Aquaponics FAQ for more
information on how aquaponics works.
Commercial Aquaponics is a young
sector of agriculture but one with great potential. There
are commercial aquaponic farms in the US, Canada, Mexico,
Australia and a few other countries but, as of now, the total
number of commercial enterprises is quite small. This is
due to the fact that combining aquaculture and hydroponics is
fairly new technology.
Yes, aquaponics is
quite new but it is not unproven. The scientists at the
University of the Virgin Islands have been developing
commercially-viable aquaponic systems for nearly 25 years and
commercial growers and many other Universities have contributed
to the research and development of aquaponics technology.
Aquaponics can fill
a niche market for premium quality crops or it can provide
staples for a village in a developing country. (See
Village Aquaponics
article) Most commercial growers use a greenhouse to
protect the plants and fish from harsh environmental conditions
and pest insects. In a greenhouse, floor space must be
maximized to reduce costs and increase production.
The production can
be very high in a commercial aquaponic system when plant spacing
is maximized and the fish are fed a proper and balanced diet.
For example, a greenhouse
approximately 350 square meters in size can house an aquaponic
system capable of producing 50,000-60,000 heads of premium
lettuce, herbs or other greens and 5,000 kg of fresh tilapia per
year. A 350 square meter greenhouse is a size that a family can
operate. Learn how to get started
in commercial aquaponics.
The daily work
involved in a commercial aquaponic venture includes feeding the
fish and cleaning the filters, seeding, transplanting and
harvesting the plants and packaging the produce for sale.
The fish are harvested periodically, with the frequency
dependant on the size of the system, the number of fish tanks
and the market demand.
An aquaponic farm
can be a rewarding and profitable business for a family or
individual. It can also tap into the "agri-tourism"
craze and earn extra income from it. For more information on how
you can get started in commercial aquaponics, visit our
consulting page or contact us
at 209-742-6869 or via
e-mail.
Top of Page |
