Abstract

With the increase in the consumption of vegetables due to the increase in the population and the tendency to change the consumer's eating habits, the demand for water in the production process of these foods also grows, requiring the production systems more efficient in terms of space utilization and natural resources. Aquaponics has gained attention for being considered a sustainable system that uses the residues of the creation of aquatic organisms for the cultivation of plants, thus having a water and nutrients recycling, in addition to the possibility of having a vertical distribution, optimizing the space. This production system is very interesting due to the possibility of being implemented in homes, serving as a complement to a family's diet, and the surplus can be sold in nearby markets, contributing to the local microeconomics, in addition to issues involving human health and nutrition, valuing local culture and environmental education. Following the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the UN, this food production technique fits into the “Zero Hunger and Sustainable Agriculture” objective, as it provides quality food, closer to the consumer and produced with low inclusion of industrial fertilizers, in addition to recognized by FAO as a potential alternative to Smart Agriculture for the climate (Climate-smart agriculture-CSA). However, for its implantation on a commercial scale in the country, it is necessary to carry out adequate studies on planning and marketing, aiming to define strategically which are the markets that can be served by the products of the aquaponic systems, and also on what possibilities can be created or models should be structured considering the technology used within the system.

Keywords

substantiable system, food quality, human nutrition, climate-smart agriculture, nutrient cycling, use efficiency, microeconomics, technological production system, plant production, hydroponics system, inorganic fertilizers, poverty reduction, dimensions and technologies