Objectives
The key objectives of FoodOASIS are to crystalize, review and consolidate knowledge and legislation relating to aquaponics, design and develop common standards, best practice and research for aquaponics systems, innovative with new software that will support the aquaponics system and educate young students and the public concerning both aquaponics and the relevant software.
The FoodOASIS project proposes the design, development and pilot testing of an enclosed aqueduct, which will incorporate management software for the mixing of runoff solutions. The system will be adapted to the Mediterranean conditions, both in terms of environmental parameters and the choice of plant and fish species.
Methodology
The following methodological approach divided in 3 basic axes of industrial research and 6 Workpackages will be employed to address the objectives of the innovative proposed project:
- Design and establish the new laboratory-scale and small-scale pilot aquaponics systems and develop the aquaponics software which will ensure the best system management.
- Evaluate the aquaponics software and develop new protocols which are critical for a sustainable aquaponics production and maintenance of the environmental quality of the system.
- Analyze/synthesize the results by investigating the impact of the new system and software using a life cycle environmental and socioeconomic assessment and propose the best-practices.
The project will involve cooperation between two SMEs, (1) the Agrostis, an Information Technology SME with a mission to develop and market Information and automation technology products and services in the Agricultural sector, (2) the Emmanouilidis SME, a greenhouse systems SME and the University of Thessaly in Greece needed to design, develop, test and write protocols useful for commercial application in aquaponics. This will ensure that the project will have the best probability for enhancing sustainability, profitability and competiveness in the Greek agriculture sector.
Work Packages
- WP1: System design
- WP2: Decision support system
- WP3: Lab scale system integration
- WP4: Pilot scale system integration
- WP5: Life cycle analysis and socioeconomic impact assessment
- WP6: Synthesis
Expected results
The FoodOASIS project aims at studying and developing a hydroponics system that will lead to (a) saving water and fertilizers, thus increasing the efficiency of their use by recycling the solution between the two subsystems of the crop, (b) increasing the quality of the products, due to the pioneering design of the solution mixing and nutrient management system in plants and fish and (c) increased efficiency of use of total greenhouse gas inputs As the same space will be used for the production of two types. The rational control of inputs to aquatic crops, to be ensured by the system developed in FoodOASIS, is expected to help reduce the environmental and water footprint of products. This will add value to them, since small impacts on the environment have already begun to be a criterion for the marketability of primary products, and in the near future they will determine their course and price.
With the completion of FoodOASIS, innovative technologies in the field of aquaculture will be developed, a method of producing quality food with rational management and saving of water resources with a huge interest in Mediterranean and global agricultural production, thus contributing to the excellence and competitiveness of the economy at national and international level.
Funding
Co‐financed by the European Union and Greek national funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call RESEARCH – CREATE – INNOVATE (project code:Τ1EDK-01153)