Imagine growing plants without soil! That is what aquaponics and hydroponics is all about. It is a way to grow plants using water instead of soil. Plants require nutrients to grow, the same way we need food to stay healthy. In hydroponics, we dissolve those nutrients in water, and the plants absorb the nutrients using their roots. In aquaponics, the fish provide the nutrients for the plants to grow. It is like they are sipping on a special nutrient-rich drink!
Explore the techniques that are used in aquaponics and hydroponics that are transforming agriculture and eco-friendly food production. These advanced farming techniques use water-based systems to cultivate plants. They offer efficient ways to grow crops with fewer resources compared to traditional soil-based farming. In both systems, plants receive essential nutrients directly from water, resulting in faster growth rates and higher yields. You may be wondering what the difference between aquaponics and hydroponics and the simple answer is that aquaponics includes fish and hydroponics does not. You will discover the environmental advantages of aquaponics and hydroponics, learn how these methods reduce water consumption, eliminate soil degradation, and minimise the need for chemical fertilisers.
If you would like to learn more about aquaponics and hydroponics and how it can transform how we grow food sustainably you can download the Eduponics booklet below.
DOWNLOAD THE EDUPONICS BOOKLETThe new Aquaponics and Hydroponics Exhibition at the Cape Town Science Centre is funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), implemented by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) through the Programmatic Support Grant Initiative.
A big thank you to Eduponics and Aztec Agri Systems for partnering and collaborating with us on building this exhibition as well as Timbercity, Power Plastics, MVM House, Ultra-Oxygen the Water Solution division of Soldevco and Climate Actions Now for their contributions to this exhibition.