Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show
Part of AGRITECHNICA: 12 - 18 November 2023, Hanover
Pioneering new ways of farm & food
Controlled Environment Agriculture – global food security through new agricultural production systems is one of the central tasks of the future. "Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show" is the DLG's new platform for the agricultural and food systems of the future. Closely networked with agricultural practice, it offers technical information, perspectives, innovations and business - from feed to food.
Aquaculture and Aquaponics
Aquaculture in closed-loop systems, also referred to as RAS (recirculating aquaculture system), is becoming increasingly important. In this process, fish are bred in tanks or pools and the water is continuously cleaned and reprocessed using various filter systems. This form of aquaculture is more resource-efficient and environmentally-friendly than traditional aquaculture in open water systems, as it reduces water consumption and the risk of environmental pollution.
Above all, salmon, trout and tilapia are currently bred in RAS systems. Salmon and trout are popular edible fishes that are particularly consumed in Northern Europe and North America, whereas tilapia is a fast-growing and inexpensive species of fish that is consumed above all in Asia and Africa.
In addition to these fish species, an increasing number of experiments are being conducted into breeding other species such as barramundi, sea bass and carp, for instance, in RAS systems. Thanks to the evolution of the technology and research, it will be possible to breed other species of fish in RAS systems in the future.
Aquaculture in closed-loop systems offers numerous advantages and is regarded as a sustainable alternative to traditional fish breeding. Fish breeding can be made more environmentally-friendly, efficient and sustainable due to the use of RAS systems.
Aquaponics is a sustainable agricultural system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics. In this process, fish are bred in a closed-loop system and their waste is used as a source of nutrients by plants. The system is based on a symbiotic relationship between fish, plants and microorganisms.
In aquaponics, various species of fish such as trout, carp and tilapia are bred in special tanks. The water in the tanks is cleaned using biological filters and then conducted into plant beds, where the plants absorb the nutrients from the water and therefore filter it at the same time. The cleaned water is then pumped back into the fish tanks.
Aquaponics offers numerous advantages. It is a resource-efficient system that uses little water and no chemical fertilisers. In addition, the plants and fish can be grown and bred in a self-contained environment all year round and irrespective of the season and weather conditions.
Above all. fast-growing plant varieties such as lettuce, herbs, tomatoes and bell peppers are cultivated in aquaponics. Thanks to aquaponics, these plants can be cultivated in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable manner without having to use chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
Aquaponics is an innovative and sustainable agricultural system that is increasingly gaining in importance. It offers numerous advantages and is a promising alternative to conventional farming.
Examples
There are numerous aquaponics operations in Germany, whereby the majority are located in urban areas. One example is ECF Farm Systems in Berlin, which breeds pikeperch and cultivates tomatoes in its system and sells them at weekly markets and to local restaurants. Aquaponics systems also exist in other European countries such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and France.
There are a growing number of aquaponics operations in there USA, the majority of which are located in urban areas. One familiar example is Milwaukee-based Sweet Water Organics, which breeds trout and cultivates vegetables in its system and sells its products to local restaurants and retailers.
An increasing number of aquaponics operations that make use of this sustainable agricultural system are also emerging in other parts of the world such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, for instance.
Exhibit
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Profit from new value chains. Become part of the Inhouse Farming - Feed & Food Show at AGRITECHNICA 2023
Diverse participation options
Whether you're a start-up or an internationally operating company - benefit from our clearly defined exhibition spaces and our special offers around in-house farming, new food systems, digitalization, robotics and automation.