The aquaponics system for (nearly) emission free tomato- and fish production in greenhouses, abbreviated "ASTAF-PRO", provides ideal growth conditions for both fishes and vegetables at the same time — a challenge that traditional aquaponics systems cannot overcome. "ASTAF-PRO" is ASTAF-PRO is the technological basis for INAPRO, the "Innovative model & demonstration based water management for resource efficiency in integrated multitrophic agriculture and aquaculture systems". It aims at achieving a real breakthrough towards implementation and commercialization of this technology
How can we cope with the global future challenges? The growing world population induces competition for water, land, food, and energy. But resources are limited, and unsustainable agricultural practices and climate change are aggravating these problems.
Therefore, the European Union (EU) decided to fund a visionary project: for the next 4 years, 18 partners from 8 countries will work on an auspicious new green technology. About 6 million Euros are granted to implement an innovative aquaponics system that has the potential to contribute remarkably to global food security for the 21st century.
Aquaponics is a portmanteau word, including aquaculture (fish rearing) and hydroponics (soilless plant breeding). An aquaponics system allows the double-use of water, nutrients, energy, and space. Wastewater from the aquaculture section is used for the nutrition of the plants. The newly started collaborative project INAPRO ("Innovative model & demonstration based water management for resource efficiency in integrated multitrophic agriculture and aquaculture systems") aims at achieving a real breakthrough towards implementation and commercialization of this promising technology.
The project coordination of INAPRO is located at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in Berlin, Germany. Scientists at IGB have developed the technology "ASTAF-PRO" (aquaponics system for (nearly) emission free tomato- and fish production in greenhouses) that provides ideal growth conditions for both fishes and vegetables at the same time — a challenge that traditional aquaponics systems cannot overcome. "ASTAF-PRO offers sustainable value-added chains, with special regards to a significantly reduced water and carbon footprint compared to currently existing systems", explains Prof. Dr. Werner Kloas, one of the developers.