Aquaponics is a food production system, which is a considerably big contributor to sustainable intensive agriculture, particularly in small/family-scale agriculture. The system comprises favorable as well as collective ways of plant and fish yield and is able to grow high amounts of food where conventional (a.k.a. soil-based agriculture) is arduous or merely impossible. The sustainability of aquaponics innovative technology includes in it the environmental, economic and social dynamics.
Economically, this type of system requires a considerable initial investment, however it is later followed by miserably low recurring additional and continuous costs, adding combined financial returns from both – fish and plant production. From the Environmental side of view, aquaponics is an efficient prevention tool for aquaculture effluent from forming waste water and consequently polluting the watersheds and aquifers, solid and groundwater.
Worth to mention that, aquaponics ensures higher water and production control/balance. Aquaponics in no way relies on chemicals for substrate fertilization, or control of pests or weeds through any synthetic substances. In practice aquaponics can offer quality-of-life improvements to the society, by its availability to grow culturally appropriate crops. Additionally, aquaponics can incorporate livelihood strategies to securing sufficient food and small financial benefits for landless and poor communities.