Aquaponics offers a transformative solution for sustainable food production in countries where arable land and water are becoming increasingly scarce. By combining fish farming with soilless plant cultivation in a single, closed-loop system, aquaponics maximizes resource efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
Leading this innovative approach is MJ Nunes, an agriculturalist and the owner-director of Sable Creek Farms in South Africa's Limpopo province. With a background in agricultural management and a passion for system design, Nunes has developed a fully integrated aquaponics facility that prioritizes energy efficiency, biological balance, and market-driven crop production. Drawing from extensive hands-on experience, Nunes offers tips to unpack the core principles and practical strategies for building and operating a successful aquaponics system.
One of the most compelling reasons to choose aquaponics is its sustainability. As a closed system, aquaponics uses significantly less water than traditional farming methods.
"It means we save about 95% of water compared to traditional or other farming techniques," Nunes says. Additionally, aquaponics is entirely organic. Farmers cannot use synthetic chemicals or pesticides because they would harm the fish in the system.
Read more at Food For Mzansi