Abstract
Integrated Aquaculture (IA) is a working commercial aquaponic farm based in Gauteng, South Africa. The company is in its tenth year of operation and is projected to achieve a sustainable EBITDA breakeven by December 2023.
This presentation includes l essons learnt from the duration of operation of IA and includes an explanation of several critical partnerships forming the extended ecosystem. This ecosystem is critical to the profitability and sustainability of a commercial aquaponics facility.
Agriculture and more specifically Aquaculture and Aquaponics are extremely complex vocations for entrants into the industry. Aquaculture and Aquaponics are relatively new industries requiring collaboration on many levels to ensure success. Climate change is a reality and a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) points to climate controlled, intensive production systems. Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) and Aquaponic growing methods are perfect for inclusion in climate-controlled systems.
The presentation talks about the reason for inclusion and the challenges encountered with each partnership and the underlying importance of them in achieving profitability. These relationships include but are not limited to the following entities: Government, Finance, Technical Partners, Human Resources, Land Ownership, Market Establishment, Expertise, Certification, Distribution, and Supplier Relationship.
This presentation is for the Aquaculture/Aquaponic enthusiast and investor that has the desire and determination to run a profitable, sustainable business that includes the adoption the triple bottom line accounting framework (Profit, People, Planet).