As if 2020 did not have enough surprises in store, the year closed with an atypical news item: water – yes, the liquid on which life on the planet depends – began trading on the Wall Street futures market.
Before we set alarm bells ringing, let’s be clear: experts said that this is a financial mechanism that aims to better manage water use. But what is undeniable is that water will become scarce if we don’t do something about it in time.
Among the main industries that use this liquid are those dedicated to food production, which makes it urgent to start a revolution now to ensure a sustainable future.
The New York Times called it ‘the impeccable garden’ and Ken Konschel, founder of the Aquaponics Africa project, said it has ‘infinite possibilities’. We are talking about aquaponics, a proposal with multiple benefits: it uses ten times less water than soil cultivation, does not need chemicals or fertile soil, and is more productive than other agricultural procedures.
This technique is far from recent: there are studies that contemplate the chinampas Mexican rice paddies or rice paddies combined with fish as its precursors. Today, the use of aquaponics has spread thanks to the implementation of technology, making it a cutting-edge food production alternative.
But what is aquaponics?
Aquaponics is a system that combines the cultivation of plants with the rearing of fish, creating a closed ecosystem that works in this way:
- Fish are fed and produce metabolic waste.
- Micro-organisms in the water convert these wastes into nutrients.
- Through a cycle, the nutrients fertilise the plants without the need for soil or external fertilisers.
- Plants purify the water and return it clean to the fish.
This symbiotic relationship between flora and fauna results in food grown without pesticides and chemical fertilisers, antibiotics or other artificial products common in conventional agriculture and aquaculture.
It should be emphasised that aquaponics is not like having a home garden or a couple of plants producing edible vegetables on the terrace of your home: it requires technical know-how and a considerable initial investment. However, by making extensive use of aquaponics it will be possible to bring great environmental and economic benefits.
Sustainable and healthy
According to data from a Eurobarometer survey, almost 95% of citizens in all European Union (EU) member states consider environmental protection to be important. In line with this, by the middle of last year another survey revealed that the majority of EU consumers are open to exploring healthier and more sustainable dietary habits.
Against this backdrop, aquaponics guarantees an improvement in both by producing food – both animal and vegetable – free of harmful products, and developing them in an environment with less negative impact on the environment in contrast to conventional industries.
In addition to the benefits already mentioned, aquaponics has other advantages that are increasingly being taken into consideration: it provides food stability, as it allows cultivation throughout the year without depending on fertile soil; it offers local food, as it is a technique that can be used in areas that are undervalued in cities, such as rooftops or terraces; although the initial investment is not small, it is quickly recoverable, as production is up to three times higher.
It should not be forgotten that food products developed with aquaponics are of high quality, with great organoleptic qualities in terms of taste, colour, smell and texture. It also makes it possible to grow and breed varieties that are traditionally out of season.
Green in Blue: for an aquaponic Barcelona
Green in Blue is the first company in the Catalan capital that is 100% dedicated to aquaponics. The initiative has worked for years as a consultant at an international level, advising those seeking to develop this type of system and thus increase the circularity of products by recycling organic waste.
After dabbling in system design, crop sales, gardening and training, this startup is ready to take the next step: its Granja Blava project. After years of experimentation, the production of their crops through aquaponics will be officially introduced in the Catalan market. Before the summer, it will be possible to buy this sustainable food in restaurants, shops and local baskets in Barcelona.
For the organisation, aquaponics has the potential to be a cornerstone in the creation of self-sufficient communities.
And even if water is traded on Wall Street and Hollywood films predict a bleak future for natural resources and the environment, processes and initiatives such as this one offer a glimmer of hope for a brighter future.
This article was originally published on Revolve Media. You can read the original piece here.
