In a world where land and water are running out, a quiet farming revolution is taking root — right in people’s backyards and terraces. Aquaponics is an innovative farming technique that integrates hydroponics and aquaculture, enabling the simultaneous cultivation of fish and plants using minimal resources.

In this system, plants are grown in water while fish are raised in the same or interconnected systems. The process is self-sustaining: the fish are fed, and their waste provides essential nutrients for the plants, eliminating the need for chemical fertilisers.

This highly organic approach offers the added benefit of dual income, as both fish and plants can be harvested.

This guide offers tips on setting up a commercial aquaponics farm, covering crucial aspects such as setup processes, costs, fertilisation, pH and temperature management, and water conservation.

1. How much space do you need?

According to Kerala-based farmer Vijayakumar Narayanan, an aquaponics farm can be set up on less than 900 sq ft of land. Ideally, half the space should be dedicated to a fish pond and the other half to crops. This setup can support up to two tonnes of fish.

2. What does the setup include?

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