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Aquaponics and the Desert Agriculture Research Initiative

Aquaponics and the Desert Agriculture Research Initiative. Kevin Fitzsimmons University of Arizona, Professor World Aquaculture Society, Past-President American Tilapia Association, Sec./Tres. Jeddah, Saudia Arabia, 25 October, 2011. Trends in food markets.

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Aquaponics and the Desert Agriculture Research Initiative

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  1. Aquaponics and theDesert Agriculture Research Initiative Kevin FitzsimmonsUniversity of Arizona, Professor World Aquaculture Society, Past-President American Tilapia Association, Sec./Tres. Jeddah, Saudia Arabia, 25 October, 2011

  2. Trends in food markets • Demand for more locally grown, organic foods • Increasing demand for vegetables and fish for health reasons • Need to increase economic and environmental efficiency (energy, water, land area, recycling of nutrients)

  3. Need new model for food production • Green Revolution – huge increase in food production, but heavy reliance on irrigation, fuel and fertilizer • Blue Revolution – more than 50% of all seafood is now farm raised, but many environmental impacts (effluents causing eutrophication, algae blooms, cage and raft conflicts with other users in oceans, bays and lakes)

  4. Aquaponics Projects • The Land Pavilion – Disney World, Florida • Biosphere 2 – Tucson, Arizona • High school education • Mexico systems • Jeddah salt water system • Commercialization

  5. Disney World – EPCOT – The Land • University of Arizona provided technical design, layout, training of staff, and 10 years of updates. • Selected hydroponics and aquaculture as two critical food production systems for the future.

  6. Disney World – EPCOT – The Land • 30,000 guests a day learn about hydroponics, aquaculture, tilapia, and advanced farming techniques • Products are served in the Good Turn Restaurant

  7. Development trials for Biosphere 2 • Biosphere 2 – A one hectare greenhouse. Completely sealed, with eight people living inside for two years.

  8. Early trials for Biosphere 2 • University of Arizona provided overall technical support and designed the food system. • Intensive food production • Healthy foods with minimal need for external inputs • Replicated trials with tilapia and lettuce

  9. Various growing techniques • Growing in gravel/biofilter • Growing in floating boards

  10. Density and micronutrient trials • Low density of fish • High density of fish

  11. Nutrient film technique • Growing in troughs/gutters with flowing water

  12. Nutrient film technique • Flood and drain version in troughs/gutters

  13. Fish and grain crops Tilapia and barley Nutrient dynamics in recirc Low density mid density high density • Determined that integrated fish and irrigated crops were most efficient food production system for Biosphere 2

  14. Educational systems in high schools Fish instead of traditional farm animals Hydroponic vegetables and ornamental flowers

  15. Aquaponics in Mexico Building fish tanks Building aquaponic beds

  16. Aquaponics in Mexico Planting peppers Stocking fish

  17. Aquaponics in Mexico Harvesting peppers Harvesting fish

  18. Jeddah Fish Farming Center Fish, Shrimp and Seaweeds Gracilaria and Ulva

  19. Tilapia and lettuce Arizona

  20. Tilapia & lettuces & freshwater shrimp Effluent from fish and shrimp fertilizes plants, plants absorb nutrients, bacteria provide additional water treatment Commercial sponsors, three Tucson high schools with similar systems, several back yard producers testing systems.

  21. Data collection and analysis Light measurements (PAR) Computer monitoring

  22. Data and video live on Internet

  23. What’s needed next? • Determine water and nutrient parameters • Determine temperature regimes • Settle on aquaculture hardware • Train production staff and semi-skilledfarming staff

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