Aquaponics is a sustainable farming technique that combines aquaculture (fish farming) with hydroponics (soilless crop production) into a closed system that is resilient to destructive climate change events. INMED is a world leader of implementing simple, scalable and low-cost aquaponics systems for families, small-scale producers, communities, schools, businesses and governments seeking to strengthen food security, economic development, public health and nutrition, and climate change adaptation.
Benefits of aquaponics include:
- Crop production at least 5 times higher than traditionally cultivated plots of equivalent size.
- 90% less water consumption than traditional farming.
- No chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
- Adaptable for solar energy and rainwater harvesting.
- Year-round crop production.
- Significantly less labour-intensive than traditional farming, making it accessible to individuals with disabilities, women and youth.
- Significantly less energy (electricity and fuel) than traditional production.
INMED’s simplified ebb-and-flow design eliminates the need for expensive filters and oxygenation systems. With just fish tanks, grow beds and pumps, the entire system is constructed on the project site using local building materials.
Nutrient-rich water from the fish tank is piped into and through the grow beds, fertilizing the crops and eliminating the need for pesticides. The water is cleaned and oxygenated as it filters through the gravel before returning to the fish tank. Far less labor-intensive than traditional farming, the system can be adapted for individuals with disabilities. Rainwater harvesting and solar panels can be added to further reduce energy consumption.
Click here to read about some of our projects .
