PALAKKAD: Lack of suitable space has always stymied urban dwellers’ farming ambitions. Now, they have a reason to cheer: Aquaponics - a method that combines aquaculture and hydroponics.
In simple terms, it is a way of cultivating organic vegetables using water rich in fish waste. Babu Mathew, head of the farm section at the Kerala Agriculture University, Vellayani, said Aquaponics can become big in the state with proper encouragement. “There are a large number of micro commercial units in the state. There is also a Facebook group - Kerala Ponics - in the private sector.
Small scale farmers are a tad apprehensive because of the high initial investment. With the government intervention, more farmers can be roped in to Aquaponics,” said Mathew.
Vijayakumar Narayanan, a native of Nanniode village in Palakkad, a pioneer in Aquaponics in the state, hoped the new LDF government would give adequate support to the method. Narayanan had developed five cents of land at actor Sreenivasan’s house in Kochi for Aquaponics.
“Plants are grown on sheets of gravel laid on the banks of a pond. The most suitable sand for cultivation is quartz silica, though river sand is being used now. Silica land has more natural flavour as river sand has elements of carbonate in it,” he said. “Two pumps-one for blowing air into the pond and the other for pumping water on the gravel where plants are grown - are needed. FFDA provides 75 per cent subsidy on power and the Horticulture Mission bears 50 per cent cost of the shade net house,” he said.
“Ammonia from the fish waste gets converted into nitrites and it aides the plant growth through bacterial action. Leafy vegetables like brocolli, lettuce, spinach, palak and pudina can be cultivated. Tomato, lady’s finger, brinjal and all types of gourds can be also cultivated. But tubers are not suitable for this style of farming. There will only be airborne pests since soil is not involved in the cultivation. They can be controlled through bio pesticides,” he said.
“Tilapia and carp are best suited fish to generate waste for acquaponics. But using natural feed such as rice bran, coconut and groundnut oil cakes too can reduce the cost.”
So, how did Narayanan foray into Aquaponics? “A huge mango tree uprooted in the backyard three years ago creating a pit that later turned into a small pool. I wanted to use it fruitfully, and my search on the internet ended at Aquaponics.
“Dr Mark R McMurtry of Oklahoma, US, gave a lot of tips through the net. I have assisted in setting up farms in Idukki, Ernakulam, Goa, Telangana and Coimbatore,” said Narayanan, a teacher in the Army Education Corps.
M Joseph Jeffri, agriculture officer of the Perumatty Krishi Bhavan said: “Aquaponics is catching up in cities like Bengaluru. The biggest advantage is that it is eco-friendly and needs little space.”