Can Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture Systems Contribute to Food Security in Egypt? – A Review Article

Document Type : Review articles

Author

Faculty of Engineering, Heliopolis University, Department of Civil Engineering (Water Engineering Program), Cairo, Egypt

Abstract

Aquaculture practices are in continuous development making it the fastest-growing food production sector in the world. However, the sustainability of the sector is at stake due to the predicted effects of climate changes on water resource availability and aquaculture activities. Therefore, the strategy to produce more food from every drop of used water is vital to face the challenges of climate change. The application of Integrated Aquaculture and Agriculture Systems (IAAS) is acknowledged as an efficient water use to increase water productivity, profitability, sustainability and reduce risks associated with water scarcity. Such application provides a chance for effective recycling of one waste product from aquaculture as input to a different agricultural component. Aquaponic is a type of IAAS that combines recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) and hydroponics into a single-loop recirculating system. This integration allows the crops to use the water’s nutrients provided by the fish which improve water quality for fish use and emerging as a sustainable means of organic food production. However, income from aquaponic systems is mainly come from the sale of crops rather than fish. Egypt is the first in Africa and among the top ten countries in the world in the field of aquaculture, and has substantial experience in raising freshwater fish, mainly tilapia. Therefore, it is feasible to provide inexpensive technological solutions on various aquaculture practices. The paper provides an overview of the climate change impacts on the different IAASs that has great potential to increase food productivity and reduce risks associated with water scarcity.

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