Cost effective aquaponics for food security and income of farming households in coastal Bangladesh

This study was designed for integrated culture of fish and vegetables in cost effective aquaponics. Using cheaper, locally available inputs a 3 m ² (1.52 m × 2.12 m) cages were introduced in pond; within a total cost between US$ 15 and 25. On three sides of the cages, there were sunshade-like structures to support horticulture products and a trellis to support climbing plants. Three treatments were introduced; monoculture of Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), polyculture of climbing perch (Anabas testudineus) and Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and monoculture of Climbing perch (Anabas testudineus). After 80 days, the average weight of Tilapia was 178.5 g ± 0.92 SE and 174 g ± 1.2 SE in monoculture and polyculture with 19 cm ± 0.11 SE and 17 ± 0.14 SE cm in size respectively from 24 g ± 0.20 SE and 22 g ± 0.22 SE initial weight respectively with 4 cm of initial size. Climbing perch became 70 g ± 1.0 SE weight in monoculture and 57.6 g ± 0.93 SE in polyculture from 0.50 g ± 0.05 SE initial weight. The study found that treatment-1 (benefit cost ratio: 2.2) was more suitable. Considering the low capital cost, good return on investment and reduced vulnerability of this culture system to tidal surges and flood, this technology has the potential to increase resilience of the farming households with ponds towards climate change in the coastal region.