One of the most compelling reasons to choose aquaponics is its sustainability. As a closed system, this method uses much less water than traditional farming. A farmer shares tips on how to approach this production method.

Aquaponics presents a transformative solution for sustainable food production in a country where arable land and water are becoming increasingly scarce. By combining fish farming with soilless plant cultivation in a single, closed-loop system, aquaponics maximises resource efficiency while minimising environmental impact.

This farming method requires significantly less water than traditional agriculture, making it especially beneficial for communities grappling with limited access to irrigation. At the forefront of this innovative approach is MJ Nunes, an agriculturalist and the owner-director of Sable Creek Farms in Limpopo.

With a background in agricultural management and a passion for system design, Nunes has built a fully integrated aquaponics facility that prioritises energy efficiency, biological balance, and market-driven crop production. Nunes offers tips from extensive hands-on experience to unpack the core principles and practical strategies for building and operating a successful aquaponics system.

Understand why aquaponics works

One of the most compelling reasons to choose aquaponics is its sustainability. Due to it being a closed system, aquaponics uses significantly less water than traditional farming.

“It means we save about 95% water compared to traditional or other farming techniques,” Nunes says. Additionally, aquaponics is entirely organic. Farmers cannot use synthetic chemicals or pesticides because they would harm the fish in the system.

Key to the success of this configuration is filtration (e.g. radial flow or swirl filters) to remove solids and biological processes (biofilters) to convert ammonia into usable nitrates. This ensures nutrient availability for crops while protecting fish health.

“Each system includes four aquaculture tanks connected to six media beds and six deep water culture (DWC) rafts, all in the same loop. The solids are mechanically and biologically filtered before the water reaches the plants,” he explains.

Another unique benefit of the aquaponic system is its suitability for urban or small-scale farming, especially in water-scarce areas like South Africa.

Recognise the dual income potential

One of the major advantages of aquaponics is that it can produce two sources of income: fish and crops. “Your produce in aquaponics grows about two times faster and quicker than growing in the soil. Your turnaround time for your produce from seed to harvest is much quicker.”

While aquaponics systems can be costly to set up, Nunes notes that the investment is worth it in the long run due to reduced operating costs and high efficiency. Operating costs are much lower compared to conventional farming, especially for those growing organic produce.

“Aquaponics production cost is much lower than farming in soil. Your price for your organic produce doesn’t have to be sky high because it’s got the name organic.”

Stocking and feeding strategies

Sable Creek produces market-size tilapia, targeting 200g to 350g weights within a 7 to 8-month cycle. Tilapia, being hardy and temperature-tolerant, are ideal for South African climates.

“We run two different aquaponic systems – each one 1000 to 3000 litres per tank, depending on the age and size of fish. We have our own nursery system where we grow fry and juveniles to fingerlings, and then we grade them before placing them into our aquaponic systems,” he says.

By staggering fish ages and using a grading system, Nunes explains that this reduces in-tank competition and mortality. It also ensures steady nutrient output, which translates to consistent plant growth.

Choose the right crops

Nunes explains that some crops thrive in aquaponics systems more than others. For optimal results, focus on fast-growing, water-loving crops.

“Herbs do extremely well, lettuces do extremely well, tomatoes do extremely well, peppers do well, chillies do well in the system,” he says. Plant varieties are selected based on nutrient demand, growth rate, and market potential.

The use of media beds supports root crops and beneficial bacteria, while DWC rafts are ideal for lighter leafy greens like lettuce, basil, and rocket.

Monitoring and water quality management

Water chemistry is at the heart of system health in aquaponics. The pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and dissolved oxygen (DO) levels must be constantly monitored and balanced for both plant and fish requirements.

“If any value goes out of range, the entire system is affected,” says Nunes. To prevent disease and maintain productivity, the facility is designed with biosecurity protocols such as foot baths, mesh screening, and limited access to tanks.

Resource efficiency and power usage

In line with sustainability principles, Nunes highlights energy minimisation and system automation. “The whole system is designed to run on less than 2kWh per hour. We use variable speed pumps, gravity-assisted drainage, and off-grid options like solar aeration.”

These interventions make the system resilient to load shedding and reduce operational costs, a critical aspect for small-scale commercial viability.

Business and market integration

Nunes emphasises the importance of full traceability, compliance, and certification where required. He encourages aspiring aquaponics producers to plan for market access early.

“We harvest, wash, chill and deliver on the same day. This shortens the time to shelf, so retailers get fresher produce and it lasts longer for consumers.” He also stresses the importance of working within strict quality control frameworks.

“Our lettuce goes from field to chiller in under an hour, and we keep it at 2–5°C throughout the cold chain.” An aquaponic system is not only a production model but a system with room for research and further innovation, aimed at showcasing replicable technologies for urban and peri-urban farmers.

“The goal is to build a model that can be scaled up or down, with minimal environmental impact and maximum food output per square metre,” he says.

Biosecurity

Disease control is critical to maintaining healthy fish and crops. “Sanitation is a big thing. If I go to a fish farm today and go into my greenhouse again, I could be bringing something in through my shoes,” Nunes cautions.

He ensures every greenhouse is equipped with foot baths and sanitation areas, minimising risk. Viruses like tobacco mosaic can spread through human contact, which is why visitors who smoke must take precautions.

Embracing technology

Nunes recommends incorporating simple yet effective technologies to run efficient systems. To manage South Africa’s unreliable power supply, his systems include global system for mobile communication (GSM) units.

“If the power does go off after it’s changed over to our solar unit, it will then alert us through a proper alarm to tell us that the power is off.” Nunes is also developing a digital water parameter monitoring system, replacing manual test kits.

The post Aquaponics basics: Get your system thriving appeared first on IPNN.

By Gabriella Soto-Velez, NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Specialist

There are many different terms for the practices that incorporate trees into agricultural production: agroforestry, intercropping, permaculture, food forests, and now there’s a new kid on the block: syntropic agriculture. Syntropic agriculture is gaining attention in the regenerative and sustainable agriculture space. But what exactly is it, and how does it differ from other agroforestry methods?

A Time-Tested Practice with Modern Applications

Syntropic agriculture system in Haiti. Photo credit: Roger Geitzen.

Like most agroforestry systems, people have been practicing syntropic agriculture for thousands of years. Indigenous communities across the Amazon, West Africa, and Southeast Asia have long used successional agroforestry techniques to cultivate staple crops while regenerating soil health and boosting biodiversity. The Mayan civilization, for example, practiced forest gardening with a mix of fruit trees, nitrogen-fixing plants, and staple crops—a method that closely resembles modern syntropic principles.

The modern adaptation of syntropic agriculture is credited to Swiss farmer Ernst Götsch, who began researching and refining these methodologies in Brazil. After working for a Swiss company specializing in genetically modified crops, he questioned conventional agricultural approaches, stating, “Wouldn’t we achieve greater results if we sought ways of cultivation that favor the development of plants, rather than creating genotypes that support the bad conditions we impose on them?”

The Core Principles of Syntropic Agriculture

Syntropic agriculture is based on multi-strata planting, mimicking natural forest succession to increase biodiversity and yields while reducing external inputs over time. The term syntropy refers to a force that creates diversity, order, and life—in contrast to agricultural practices that deplete soils and ecosystems.

What makes syntropic agriculture particularly exciting is its rapid establishment and adaptability. Unlike many agroforestry systems that take years to become productive, syntropic agriculture allows for harvests in as little as three months. It can also be applied across various climates, from tropical to temperate regions. While each location presents its own challenges and advantages, the core principles remain the same:

• High-density planting to maximize biodiversity and productivity.
• Regular pruning to manage plant succession and promote vigorous growth.
• ‘Chop and drop’ mulching, where pruned biomass becomes ground cover to build organic matter and protect the soil.
• Livestock integration, particularly with poultry and ruminants, to enhance nutrient cycling and manage undergrowth.

Livestock Integration: Optional but Highly Beneficial

Some consider livestock integration to be an optional principle in syntropic systems. Not all farms can or want to have livestock. But livestock integration can greatly enhance soil structure and soil fertility. One way people integrate livestock into syntropic systems in subtropical and tropical climates is by planting Napier and Mombasa grasses along field edges, providing valuable forage. Farmers can use a cut-and-carry method or employ solar-powered movable electric fencing to allow rotational grazing while protecting young trees and crops. Chickens can play a role in pest management while depositing nutrient-rich manure, further enhancing nutrient cycling.

Building Farm Resilience Through Syntropic Design

Like all agroforestry systems, syntropic agriculture offers multiple benefits, including greater farm resilience, improved soil health, and enhanced biodiversity. By continuously adding organic matter through mulching, these systems help prevent erosion, reduce runoff, and build soil organic matter, ultimately strengthening the soil microbiome. While initial inputs of mulch and manure are necessary to establish the system, once it reaches equilibrium, it requires little to no external inputs, making it a self-sustaining model for producing food, fuel, and fodder.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to syntropic farming—each system is customized based on factors like climate, topography, sunlight, crop availability, and farmer needs. While implementing such a system may seem daunting, numerous online resources and in-person training opportunities are available to support farmers in the transition.

Get Started with Syntropic Agriculture

You don’t have to convert your entire farm at once—start small and experiment. Consider trying some of these practices on a small section of your land to get a feel for the system design, management, and benefits before expanding. This allows you to observe how syntropic agriculture works in your specific conditions and to make adjustments as needed.

For those eager to learn more, a Syntropic Agriculture Training will be held at ECHO Global Farms in Fort Myers, Florida, in July 2025. This training will cover the principles of syntropic farming, system design, implementation strategies, and hands-on techniques for managing agroforestry systems. To receive information about upcoming workshops like this, make sure you are subscribed to ATTRA’s Weekly Harvest e-newsletter.

If you’re considering implementing syntropic agriculture on your farm but aren’t sure where to start, reach out to NCAT’s agriculture specialists at askanag@ncat.org or call the ATTRA line at 1-800-346-9140. We can help you with system design, species selection, and management strategies, or point you toward additional resources. Take the first step toward a more regenerative and self-sustaining farm today!

The post How Syntropic Agriculture Restores Soil and Farms appeared first on IPNN.

We can view 2024 in SA’s agriculture as a “mixed” year. Indeed, GDP figures will show a sharp contraction in agricultural fortunes in the year. But a deep dive shows a more nuanced picture of mixed performance. The field crops and livestock subsectors, for example, had their fair share of challenges, while the horticulture subsector had a better year.

A midsummer drought led to a 23% decline in SA’s 2023-24 summer grains and oilseeds to 15.40-million tonnes. Animal disease continued to be a big challenge for farmers. It is understandable because there have been various cases of foot-and-mouth disease in cattle, African swine fever in pigs, and avian influenza in poultry over the past three years.

A positive development last year, though not agriculture-specific, is the improvement in electricity supply. It contributed to the sector and partly to the robust horticulture production. In considering the dependence of SA’s agriculture on horticulture, it is worth highlighting that all of SA’s horticulture — fruits and vegetables — depends on irrigation that needs an adequate power supply. In crucial field crops, about 20% of maize, 15% of soy bean, 34% of sugar cane, and nearly half of wheat are produced under irrigation.

As we start 2025, the sector has renewed optimism regarding expected better rainfall and improvements on the animal disease control front. This year’s focus should remain on the opening of export markets, improvement of the network industries, and improving municipality performance.

By WANDILE SIHLOBO

The post SA’s agriculture in 2024 and outlook for 2025 appeared first on IPNN.