Press release April
2009
Cultivation of fish and tomatoes in the same environment
is not only feasible, it may be more profitable and environmentally
sound than conventional techniques, according to research
by EcoFutura.
The comprehensive two-year research project, which culminated
in a recently published final report, is a cooperative endeavour
between Priva, Aqua Terra Nova, Green Q and Groen Agro Control
examining the possibility that 'combi-cultivation' could
offer an economically and ecologically prudent farming technique
to food producers worldwide, including the UK.
Symbiotic relationship
The study, which integrated a tilapia fish nursery and a
hydroponic tomato plantation, explored the lessened environmental
impact and reduced financial requirements of a dual cultivation
system. Willem Kemmers, business development executive at
Priva and project leader of EcoFutura, said: "The two
cultivated products exist in a symbiotic relationship, with
the wasted energy from one forming a source of fuel for
the other, and visa versa.
This has an obvious remedial effect on the economic and
environmental strains of this type of cultivated farming."
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Financial and environmental benefit
The mutually beneficial relationship between the fish
and tomatoes offers significant benefits with regards
to cost and environmental impact - the solid particles
of waste produced by the fish can be used as an effective
fertiliser ingredient for the tomato plantation, and the
large amounts of CO2 released by the fish nursery can
be absorbed by the plants. In return, the water wastage
from the hydroponic process can be used to create algae
or seaweed to feed the tilapia. There is also a huge financial
and environmental benefit received from effectively halving
land and heating requirements while developing two economically
profitable forms of produce.
Sustainable and responsible
Kemmers emphasised that as the concept of shared cultivation
marries sustainable farming and increased profitability,
it offers an intelligent solution to economic and environmental
issues currently facing the planet.
He said: "Combi-cultivation can be the future stimulus
for new farming start-up businesses, which can in turn
be the staple supplier for restaurants that want to serve
food that has been cultivated in a sustainable and responsible
manner.
"With economic and environmental concerns being a
priority at the moment, it will be these responsible relationships
between producer and end-user that end up making the most
impact on the industry."
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