Technical–economic Analysis of Novel Generation Aquaponic System for a Sustainable Development

The use of pesticides and antibiotics, as well as land consumption, are among the well-known limitations of traditional farm technologies. To date, several solutions have been developed, including aquaponic systems. These systems combine aquaculture, a process for the breeding of fish species, with hydroponics, a process for the cultivation of soilless plant species. Aquaculture would allow providing high-quality products, through the utilization of healthy nutrients to plants and a careful and rigorous control of the food to be supplied to fish species. BIO-products have a higher market value than products obtained by a normal cultivation or breeding method. Therefore, aquaponics would enable not only the reduction of the previously set limits but also the provision of significant economic advantages, increasing the market value of the obtained food resources. Finally, aquaponics can be established as a strong and concrete way on a local market (at 0 km), which goes directly from the producer to the consumer. The aim of this research study was to make a technical–economic analysis of novel aquaponic system generation for sustainable development, made by the Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED) in collaboration with the Project Evaluation Laboratory (PEL). Both research groups are from the University of Salerno and the Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Abu Dhabi. An economic feasibility study highlights how the aquaponic system can be a launching pad for all entrepreneurs who intend to invest in this sector. Sufficiently, high cash flows guarantee good profitability in the short term, even for small investments.