Mohali centre develops technology for aquaponic cultivation of plantsThe Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Mohali, has devel...
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Mohali, has developed the technology for aquaponic cultivation of plants, which is not only environment-friendly but also has high socio-economic benefits for the farming community.
Aquaponics is an emerging technique in which both fish as well as plants complement each other to sustain and grow. The fish waste provides organic food for plants and plants naturally filter the water, which is used to replenish the fish tank. There is no requirement for the use of soil and fertilisers.
“The process is completely organic, increases productivity of the given land, saves water and also augments the farmers’ income,” said Dr PK Khosla, Director, C-DAC. “The technology has been developed and suitable protocols have been evolved for scientists and farmers,” he said.
The process is completely organic, increases productivity of the given land, saves water and also augments the farmers’ income. The technology has been developed and suitable protocols have been evolved for scientists and farmers. —Dr PK Khosla, Director, C-DAC
A pilot project to develop the technology was awarded to the C-DAC by the Ministry of Information and Technology and a budget of Rs1.60 crore sanctioned for it. A plant has been set up at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, which is scheduled to be inaugurated on October 13. Scientists from GADVASU as well as Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, are also being associated with the project.
Water from fish tanks is made to flow through horizontal pipes that are fixed on a framework one on top of the other with the required gap to accommodate the plants. Holes are made in the pipes into which small perforated cups containing plants are laid. Roots of the plants draw nutrients from water flowing through the pipes. The pipes can he stacked up to a reasonable height, thereby drastically reducing the area required for the same number of plants to be cultivated.
Aquaponics is suitable to cultivate lettuce, spinach, capsicum, coriander, broccoli and some other leafy plants without the use of soil, pesticides and fertilisers. The area where plants grow is enclosed in a glasshouse-like structure.
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/chandigarh/mohali-centre-develops-technology-for-eco-friendly-economic-farming-method-154250
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Taxonomy
- Aquatic Ecology
- Aquaculture Systems
- Aquafarming