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Identifying knowledge levels of aquaponics adopters

Environmental Science and Pollution Research volume 27, pages 4536–4540 (2020)Cite this article

Abstract

Aquaponics or the integration of aquaculture and hydroponic farming, is a sustainable food production system that is currently popular more as a hobby rather than on commercial scales. Recent increase in scientific and public interest in aquaponics and its environmental benefits supports research that addresses technical, economic, and legislative barriers to wider adoption of these systems. A successful combination of hydroponics with an aquaculture system requires high levels of knowledge and skill that are not necessarily available to all aquaponic practitioners. In this short communication, we analyzed the results of a worldwide survey of commercial aquaponic growers’ statements about their own knowledge base. Most respondents (59%) had some relevant prior knowledge. Surprisingly, many respondents (41%) claimed to have insufficient knowledge of both fish and plants in their first year of operating a commercial aquaponics system. We interpret this as a rough indication that about a third of the new aquaponic businesses are started by entrepreneurs who are not farmers and have no prior training or experience in growing fish or plants. If aquaponics is to become a more widespread commercially viable enterprise and be capable of delivering its environmental benefits, its promotion must consider the importance of prior knowledge held by entrepreneurs entering aquaponics.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge David C. Love for sharing his survey results and helpful suggestions regarding their analysis.

Funding

This work was supported by an advanced studies scholarship from the University of Haifa.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Maritime Civilizations, Charney School of Marine Science, University of Haifa, 199 Abba Khoushy Blvd, Mount Carmel, 31905, Haifa, Israel

    Asael Greenfeld & Dror L. Angel

  2. School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, Perth, WA, 6102, Australia

    Asael Greenfeld

  3. Department of Economics and Management, Tel-Hai College, 12210, Upper Galilee, Israel

    Nir Becker

  4. Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, South St, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia

    Janet F. Bornman

Authors
  1. Asael Greenfeld
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  2. Nir Becker
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  3. Janet F. Bornman
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  4. Dror L. Angel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Asael Greenfeld.

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Greenfeld, A., Becker, N., Bornman, J.F. et al. Identifying knowledge levels of aquaponics adopters. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 4536–4540 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06758-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06758-8

Keywords

  • Aquaponics
  • Technology adoption
  • Knowledge
  • Aquaculture
  • survey