Advancing Circularity in Small-Scale Rural Aquaponics: Potential Routes and Research Needs

Laura Silva (), Francisco Javier Martinez-Cordero, Gösta Baganz, Daniela Baganz, Ariadne Hernández-Pérez, Eva Coronado and Maria Celia Portella ()
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Laura Silva: Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Mazatlán 82112, Mexico
Francisco Javier Martinez-Cordero: Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, Mazatlán 82112, Mexico
Gösta Baganz: Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
Daniela Baganz: Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
Ariadne Hernández-Pérez: Departamento de Medicina y Zootecnia de Abejas, Conejos y Organismos Acuáticos, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México City 04510, Mexico
Eva Coronado: Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Unidad Mérida, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mérida 97357, Mexico
Maria Celia Portella: Aquaculture Center of Unesp, Sao Paulo State University (Unesp), Jaboticabal 14884-900, Brazil

Resources, 2025, vol. 14, issue 8, 1-30

Abstract: Small-scale fisheries and aquaculture play a crucial role in securing food, income, and nutrition for millions, especially in the Global South. Rural small-scale aquaculture (SSA) is characterized by limited investment and technical training among farmers, diversification and dispersion of farms over large areas, reduced access to competitive markets for inputs and products, and family labor. Small-scale integrated circular aquaponic (ICAq) systems, in which systems’ component outputs are transformed into component inputs, have significant potential to increase circularity and promote economic development, especially in a rural context. We offer an integrated and comprehensive approach centered on aquaponics or aquaponic farming for small-scale aquaculture units. It aims to identify and describe a series of circular processes and causal links that can be implemented based on deep study in SSA and ICAq. Circular processes to treat by-products in ICAq include components like composting, vermicomposting, aerobic and anaerobic digestion, silage, and insect production. These processes can produce ICAq inputs such as seedling substrates, plant fertilizers, bioenergy, or feed ingredients. In addition, the plant component can supply therapeutic compounds. Further research on characterization of aquaponic components outputs and its quantifications, the impact of using circular inputs generated within the ICAq, and the technical feasibility and economic viability of circular processes in the context of SSA is needed.

Keywords: agri-aquaculture systems; circular food production; circular economy; aquaponics waste management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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