Aquaponics growing systems can require a sizable upfront investment, but they will produce quick earnings. The most sizable expense for your aquaponics operation will be energy production for cooling, lighting, heating, and water circulation with pumps. Your business will also require vehicles, freezers, computers, and other facilities (Fruscella et al., 2021).
The cost can be reduced by utilizing natural sunlight, harvesting technologies, and localized renewable energy resources. There is always the need for the monitoring and control of essential parameters, including ultraviolet lights, diseases, pest management, control of temperature, nutrients, salts, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH (Susanti et al., 2022).
An aquaponic system installed on one acre of covered, flat, and leveled land can earn 300,000 USD per year. The operational cost for one-time installation is about 1.2 million USD, so you will become profitable within five years. Although every investor’s situation is different, the initial investment is important for greater yields.
Cost of Components for Small-Scale Aquaponic Farming (based on Spring 2022 prices)
Have a read at Financing Sarah to see the general costs of starting an aquaponic business.