Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture System: A Tool for Sustainable and Optimum Water Management
The sustainability of the aquaculture sector worldwide is at stake due to the predicted effects of climate changes on water resources availability and unsustainable aquaculture practices. The integration of aquaculture and agriculture (IAA) has long been implemented by rural communities in many Asian and African countries as part of integrated resources management for enhancing the efficiency of natural resources and the livelihood of the farming community. These systems are particularly relevant for developing countries where the capacity of the farming community for intensive aquaculture is limited. Some case studies are presented and discussed in this chapter. Aquaponics combines the components of a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) and hydroponics into a single-loop recirculating system. This integration allows the plant to use nutrients from the water provided by the fish which improves water quality characteristics for fish use and emerges as a sustainable means of organic food production. However, income from aquaponic systems mainly comes from the sale of plants rather than fish. Egypt is the first in Africa and among the top ten countries in the world in the field of aquaculture and has substantial experience in raising freshwater fish, mainly tilapia. Therefore, it is feasible to contribute and provide straightforward and inexpensive technological solutions to various aquaculture practices. The present chapter provides an overview of the impact of climate change on water resources and the different integrated aquaculture agriculture (IAA) systems that have great potential to increase food productivity and reduce risks associated with water scarcity.