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Article and Photo's by Henk Stander Aquaculture Division, Department Article and photo’s by Henk Stander Aquaculture Division, Department of Animal Sciences University of Stellenbosch n the next few years we will and a rise in production cost. By the About 40% of the world’s land sur- see population growth contin- middle of the century (2050), the face is used for agriculture with uing, cropping land and farm- staggering population growth will only 12% used for growing crops. ing resources shortages, envi- see consumers having to reduce The remaining is used for grazing Ironmental disasters and rising food their animal protein intake by 75%. and forestry. While the FAO pre- prices, put increasing pressure on Existing protein food chains such as dicts the world has enough land to our capacity to produce affordable, meat, dairy and fish will need to meet increasing agriculture de- accessible, high quality food. We invest in improved productivity and mands, not all of the arable land is are heading for a point where we efficiencies in production, technolo- evenly distributed around the will consume more food compared gy and yields to meet these de- world. Countries, like China which to the volumes of what we pro- mands. hold 20% of the world’s popula- duce. All sectors of the food indus- tion, is losing farming land at an Approximately 70% of the worlds’ try have reached a turning point alarming rate and is now a net im- fresh water is used to irrigate crops, where we seek alternative solutions porter of food which puts pressure with just 20% of the world’s crop to achieve a greater capacity, to on other countries’ resources. In- lands irrigated and that irrigated produce more for less, reduce envi- vesting in new farming technolo- agriculture only supporting 40% of ronmental impacts and still remain gies to intensify crops and reduce all food production, environmental financially viable. A lot of farmers environmental impacts such as soil threats such as drought will have a are making plans to diversify crops, erosion, water pollution and defor- serious impact on food security to spread the production risk out estation has the potential to deliver worldwide. Competition for water and to get additional cash income vital food security to local markets. to produce food and an increasing from the harvest. water demand for energy produc- Possible and potential solutions: Global Challenges: tion, which is predicted to increase The objective should be to use new More than 20% of our protein in- by 60% over the next 30 years, will innovation and the latest technolo- take is made up of animal proteins see more integrated farming sys- gies to deliver farming systems spe- derived from fish, meat and dairy tems developed to increase produc- cifically designed to produce premi- and these protein supply chains are tivity of both of these essential re- um agricultural products in the under enormous pressure, especial- sources. most environmentally and economi- ly from a limited fresh water supply cally sustainable way to be able to tackle the Global Challenges. along with other nutrients, of grow- biggest Aquaponics farms in the ing produce is obtained from the United Arab Emirates. The farm, This can be achieved by: growth of fish and the proper recy- now completed, consists of a 4 500 Collaboration with industry ex- cling of waste. square metre shed which produces perienced people across the agri- around 40 tonnes of tilapia. The Standalone aquaculture farming culture industry aquaponics system can grow a has been and still is quite commer- Developing closed loop integrat- range of leafy greens, herbs, toma- cially viable. Standalone hydroponic ed systems with minimal to zero toes and cucumbers. Mr Van der farming has been and still is quite environmental emissions Werf, who is also the president of commercially viable. Aquaponic Utilizing all waste streams in de- the NSW Aquaculture Association, farming has been struggling to be signs to increase sustainability said farmers in Australia were suc- commercially viable due to the ad- and production yields cessfully integrating similar aqua- ditional equipment involved in pre- Integrating multi biotic compo- ponics principles. In South Africa, serving the fish waste so to be com- nents to mimic natural ecosys- Mr Leslie Ter Morshuizen from Gra- posted, that is mineralized and oth- tems in design hams Town was also successful in er equipment involved in recycling Continuing to maintain and pro- running his aquaponics system on the fish’s liquid excretion into prop- mote industry best management an economically viable model and er plant soluble nutrients. Also, and husbandry practices was making good profits for a few there has to be a degree of separa- Make use of renewable energy consecutive years now. (http:// tion between the aquaculture oper- to the best of your ability for all www.aquaafrica.co.za). Leslie is ations and the vegeta- your energy needs focusing on high value plant varie- flower operations and, yet, still Utilize all waste products and try ties for instance herbs and cucum- have a degree of assimilation be- to make use of innovation to bers, and makes use of tilapia as tween the two. All of this adds sig- turn the left-over opportunities the preferred fish species in his sys- nificant capital and overhead costs. into profits by recycling tem. The water for the tilapia is Currently, many aquaponic farmers heated during the winter months Aquaponic Farming: require the involvement of addition- with a heat pump. The fresh tilapia Aquaponic farming is the collision al income, through tourism, selling is supplied to a niche market which of aquaculture farming and hydro- consultations or training or some consists of a local Deli in the area ponic farming. Aquaculture farming other products and government and a sales price of R 45.00/kg for involves the breeding, growing, and assistance and subsidized labour, to G&G fish is received. The Deli only selling of edible fish livestock and help their financials break even. The takes in small volumes of fish at a other seafood in a controlled facili- successes in aquaponic farming time though. ty. Hydroponic farming involves have been quite rare, quite small, growing vegetables, fruit, and other Chinese Integrated Fish Farming: and only been limited to small niche crops without a soil medium, with Integrated fish farming is regarded markets. highly concentrated nutrient sup- by aquaculturists of other countries plements, minimal water usage, In late 2013, aquaponics consultant as a model farming system for full and tremendous yield per square Mr Paul Van der Werf from Queens- utilization of local resources, for foot area. Aquaponics is the colli- land’s Earthen Group was quite suc- waste recycling and energy saving, sion of these two farms where pri- cessful in the design, construction and for maintaining ecological bal- marily the nitrogen component, and operating of one of the world’s ance and circulation. Chinese integrated fish farming is for future fodder crops. Thus, an building, are created and main- so broad in scope and has so many integrated fish farm can produce tained. The FAO Code of Conduct models that there is no comparative not only fish but also meat, milk, for Responsible Fisheries contains farming system in the world. The eggs, fruit, vegetables, etc. Inte- principles and provisions in support Chinese system had developed its grated fish farming can fully utilize of ecological sustainable aquacul- own characteristics and has attract- the water body, the water surface, ture development. The Code recog- ed world attention. The reason for the land, and the pond silt to in- nizes the Special Requirements of this is the full systems’ development crease the food available for human Developing Countries, and its Arti- and utilization of local natural re- consumption. cle 5 addresses in particular these sources and subsequent production needs, especially in the areas of fi- Conclusion: of food and attainment of econom- nancial and technical assistance, The promotion of ecological sus- ic self-sufficiency. Geese and ducks technology transfer, training and tainable aquaculture development may be raised on the pond, pond scientific cooperation. requires that “enabling environ- dikes may be used for fruit tree and ments”, in particular those aimed at Contact the author: mulberry cultivation or for raising ensuring continuing human re- E-mail: [email protected] pigs, and dike slopes may be used source development and capacity .
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