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Aquaponics in Saudi Arabia: Initial Steps towards Addressing Food Security in the Arid Region

Author

Listed:
  • Azhar M. Memon

    (Applied Research Center for Metrology, Standards, and Testing, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • Luai M. AlHems

    (Applied Research Center for Metrology, Standards, and Testing, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • Sevim Seda Yamaç

    (Department of Plant Production and Technologies, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Konya Food and Agriculture University, Konya 42080, Türkiye)

  • Muhammad S. Barry

    (Applied Research Center for Metrology, Standards, and Testing, Research Institute, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia)

  • Aftab Alam

    (Research and Development, A & A Epiphany LLC, Frisco, TX 75034, USA)

  • Ahmed AlMuhanna

    (Synthomer Middle East, 2nd Industrial City, Dammam 31472, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Due to water scarcity and harsh climate, Saudi Arabia and its neighboring countries rely heavily on fresh food imports from distant lands and have higher per capita expenditures on vegetable imports compared with USA and China. Aquaponics can supply fresh food throughout the year and may complement conventional agriculture in Saudi Arabia to help the objectives and policies defined by the government for food and water security. In this spirit, an Aquaponics farm is being constructed in the desert-coast climate to study the feasibility. A detailed SWOT analysis is performed for a commercial farm which reveals that the advantages of Aquaponics in the Saudi market outweigh the weaknesses. Preliminary experiences show that such ventures require high capital costs and synergistic collaboration of engineering, agriculture, business, and geology.

Suggested Citation

  • Azhar M. Memon & Luai M. AlHems & Sevim Seda Yamaç & Muhammad S. Barry & Aftab Alam & Ahmed AlMuhanna, 2022. "Aquaponics in Saudi Arabia: Initial Steps towards Addressing Food Security in the Arid Region," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:12:y:2022:i:12:p:2094-:d:996074
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yilong Hao & Kai Ding & Yaoyang Xu & Yuting Tang & Dong Liu & Gang Li, 2020. "States, Trends, and Future of Aquaponics Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-14, September.
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    3. Sharqawy, Mostafa H. & Said, S.A. & Mokheimer, E.M. & Habib, M.A. & Badr, H.M. & Al-Shayea, N.A., 2009. "First in situ determination of the ground thermal conductivity for boreholeheat exchanger applications in Saudi Arabia," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 34(10), pages 2218-2223.
    4. Nurhayati Br Tarigan & Simon Goddek & Karel J. Keesman, 2021. "Explorative Study of Aquaponics Systems in Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-26, November.
    5. Kappler, Genyr & Dias, João Batista & Haeberle, Fernanda & Wander, Paulo Roberto & Moraes, Carlos Alberto Mendes & Modolo, Regina Célia Espinosa, 2019. "Study of an earth-to-water heat exchange system which relies on underground water tanks," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 1236-1246.
    6. Muhammad Mumtaz Khan & Muhammad Tahir Akram & Rhonda Janke & Rashad Waseem Khan Qadri & Abdullah Mohammed Al-Sadi & Aitazaz A. Farooque, 2020. "Urban Horticulture for Food Secure Cities through and beyond COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-21, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mohammed S. Al-Zahrani & Hesham A. Hassanien & Fawaz W. Alsaade & Heider A. M. Wahsheh, 2023. "Effect of Stocking Density on Sustainable Growth Performance and Water Quality of Nile Tilapia-Spinach in NFT Aquaponic System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-12, April.

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