NARC: Development and Status of the Deir-Alla Pilot

Aquaponics-integrated RAS represents a cutting-edge approach to sustainable agriculture, combining fish farming and hydroponic plant cultivation within a completely closed-loop system. This integrated technique, commonly referred to as aquaponics, leverages the mutual relationship between aquatic animals and plants. Such systems are highly effective in water recycling, minimise waste generation, and enhance food production within a fully controlled environment.

This blogpost provides a general overview of the development and operational aspects of the Deir-Alla Pilot of our partner National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC).

Frontier Agricultural Technologies Implemented

The integration of RAS with hydroponics incorporates advanced technologies that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. These include the following:

Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)

This water-efficient approach recycles and filters water continuously. In addition, it includes mechanical filtration to remove solid waste and biological filtration to convert toxic ammonia into plant-usable nitrates. Lastly, it optimises conditions, such as water temperature and oxygenation, for fish health and productivity.

Hydroponic System

Plants in this system are cultivated in nutrient-rich water rather than soil, obtaining essential nutrients from fish waste, which fosters their growth. Various hydroponic techniques are employed to optimise conditions for different crops, for instance, deep water culture (DWC) and media-based systems, are effective for growing basil and cherry tomatoes. This method enhances plant growth rates while reducing water usage by up to 90% compared to conventional agriculture.

Automation (to be implemented soon)

Sensors will soon be installed to continuously monitor key water parameters, such as pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, allowing for precise control over the aquatic environment. Until then, operations are managed manually. Additionally, automated valves are set to control water flow, which leads to minimising manual labor.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Integration

Electricity for pumps, aeration systems, and automated sensors is supplied by solar panels, reducing dependency on fossil fuels. This system is already applied to the greenhouse hosting the RAS and hydroponics. Additionally, insulated tanks and greenhouse enclosures are used to improve temperature regulation, which further lowers energy consumption.

Sustainable Practices

Zero water discharge ensures no environmental impact, aligning with eco-friendly farming practices, such as organic fish feeding and natural pest management . Moreover, the system provides biodiversity by is integratiing multiple fish species and a variety of crops, creating a more sustainable agricultural environment.

Construction and Development Process

The establishment of the RAS-integrated hydroponics system followed several critical phases:

Site Selection and Planning

Dier Alla Research Station was chosen as the optimal location due to strategic factors such as access to clean water and adequate sunlight (Figure 1).

  • A modular design was adopted for scalability and ease of maintenance.
  • Climate factors were analysed to include necessary temperature control measures.
Figure 1
Figure 1. Map of the Demonstration Site in Deir Alla, Jordan
Infrastructure Development

The infrastructure development for the RAS and hydroponics system was carefully planned and these were the components used to achieve optimal performance:

  • Fish Tanks: Durable, food-grade materials (PVC) were used to construct the tanks, which can accommodate species like tilapia and trout. The tanks were covered with dark plastic to prevent algae growth (Figure 2).
  • Hydroponic Beds: Floating rafts, nutrient film channels, and media-based grow beds were constructed to support a variety of crops (Figure 3).
  • Filtration System: A multi-stage filtration system was implemented, including sediment filters and biofilters (Figure 4).
  • Greenhouse: A climate-controlled greenhouse was designed to shield plants and fish from extreme environmental conditions.
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Fish Tank for Fish Growth During Installation
Figure 3. Hydroponic Beds: A Soil-Free Cultivation System for Efficient Plant Growth floating and volcanic tuff media beds
Figure 3. Hydroponic Beds: A Soil-Free Cultivation System for Efficient Plant Growth floating and volcanic tuff media beds
Figure 4. Multi-Stage Filtration System – Mechanical and Biological Components
Figure 4. Multi-Stage Filtration System – Mechanical and Biological Components
System Integration

To integrate the components of our RAS and hydroponics system, close attention was given to the following areas:    

  • Water Circulation Setup: A plumbing network was designed to ensure the smooth circulation of nutrient-rich water from fish tanks to hydroponic beds and back (Figure 5).
  • Device Installation: Various sensors and monitoring tools are planned for deployment to enable real-time data collection.
  • Automation Programming: An automation unit will be implemented to manage temperature regulation, feeding schedules, and water purification cycles.
Figure 5. Water Circulation Setup
Figure 5. Water Circulation Setup
Testing and Calibration

During the testing and calibration phase of the system, specific measures were undertaken to ensure its efficiency and reliability. In particular, leak and flow rate tests were conducted to prevent water losses, and the efficiency of biological filtration efficiency was monitored by measuring ammonia and nitrate conversion rates in the lab. Furthermore, sensors will be pre-calibrated to achieveaccurate real-time tracking and automated responses.

Operational Status and Functionalities

The construction of the RAS-hydroponic system is complete, and it offers the following functionalities:

Fish Production

Fishes are cultivated under controlled conditions to achieve optimal growth rates, as depicted in Figure 6. To enhance yields and ensure overall fish health, nutritional balance and feeding schedules will be automated. Moreover, water quality is maintained through biological and mechanical filtration, minimising the risk of disease outbreaks.

Figure 6. Fish Production Stage in the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)
Figure 6. Fish Production Stage in the Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS)
Plant Cultivation

Various vegetables and herbs, such as basil and tomatoes, are grown hydroponically in our system (Figure 7). These plants extract nutrients directly from fish waste, which not only provides them with the essential nourishment but also purifies water before it is recirculated. This symbiotic relationship accelerates crop cycles, resulting in higher yields per unit area and enhancing the overall productivity of the system.

Figure 7. Plant cultivation stage, basil and cherry tomato
Figure 7. Plant cultivation stage, basil and cherry tomato
Efficient Water Recycling

Our system achieves over 90% of the water reclamation, significantly reducing freshwater demand. Excess nutrients are continuously and efficiently recycled between fish and plants, minimising waste and optimising resource use.

Real-Time Monitoring and Automation

IoT-based tracking monitors several parameters, such as temperature, pH, oxygen levels, and nutrient concentrations, ensuring proactive system maintenance.Alerts are generated to notify operators about deviations from the optimal parameters, making sure that immediate corrective actions will be made.

Scalability and Flexibility

The modular design facilitates system expansion, allowing easy addition of fish tanks or hydroponic beds, as needed. Adaptations for climate control  make the system suitable for a variety of environments, like urban areas, arid zones, and areas with extreme weather conditions.

Insights and Benefits

Sustainability

Our system conserves water more than traditional farming methods and produces no waste, as fish waste is converted into plant nutrients. This eliminates the need for chemical fertilisers, enhancing food safety and sustainability.

Economic Feasibility

The dual production of fish and crops generates multiple revenue streams. Although the initial investment may be high, the long-term savings in water and nutrients, along with . reduced transportation costs due to urban applications, make it economic viable and beneficial for local food security.

Food Security and Climate Resilience

The system operates effectively in resource-limited environments, ensuring reliable food production throughout the year. Most importantly, it reduces dependence on external agricultural inputs.

Educational and Research Value

Our RAS and aquaponics system functions as a learning model for universities, research institutions, and local farmers. It encourages the widespread adoption of sustainable agricultural practices on a global scale, promoting educational advancement.

Challenges

Operating our integrated system comes with a few challenges that need careful attention:

• Regular Maintenance Needs: Proper training is essential for system management.
• Balancing Fish and Plant Growth: Nutrient levels must be carefully monitored to support both aquatic life and plant health.

 

The integration of RAS with hydroponics represents a significant advancement in sustainable food production. It demonstrates how innovative agricultural technologies can tackle challenges such as water scarcity, environmental sustainability, and food security. With further refinement of system design and operational strategies, aquaponics has the potential to drive transformative changes in modern agriculture, fostering greater resilience, productivity, and environmental stewardship.

Disclaimer

This publication reflects the views of the author only. The European Commission and PRIMA Foundation cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

FrontAg Nexus at a glance

Instrument: PRIMA, the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area 

Total costs:  € 3.206.895,00

Duration: 3 years, 1/5/2023 – 30/4/2026

Consortium: A total of 10 partners from 8 countries (Germany, Greece, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Türkiye)

FrontAg Nexus Homepage by PRIMA: https://qap.mel.cgiar.org/projects/1828 

Project Coordinators Prof. Gertrud Buchenrieder

Dr. Wubneshe Biru

Universität der Bundeswehr München

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Project Communication Dimitris Fotakidis

Reframe.food

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