Endorsement for Portable Farms® from the Country License Holder in Botswana, Africa

botswana2Dear Friends of Portable Farms®:
It is with great joy that we offer you this glowing endorsement (below) from Mr. J.T. Mapoka, the License Holder of Portable Farms® in the Country of Botswana Africa, regarding our  Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems’ technology in his country. J.T. Mapoka installed a 10,000 sq. ft. aquaponics system for commercial growing as well as offering to build Portable Farms for others in Botswana.  He generously referred to Portable Farms® as a ‘true golden machine that produces real organic food.’ Please join us in reading his rave reviews.

If you have ever had any doubts about the success of Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems then please take two minutes to read his endorsement and see that our technology is all we claim it to be. After that, contact us about becoming a License Holder in your area, state or country to own your own ‘true golden machine.’

– Phyllis and Colle Davis

 

Hi Phyllis and Colle:

botswanaWe have absolutely completed our Portable Farm in Botswana to the extent that we are already enjoying the fruits of our sweat. Guys, your technology really works, the Portable Farms Aquaponics System technology has proven itself and it is not an Internet gimmick, but a true golden machine that produces real organic food. I don’t have words for describing this fantastic and sustainable system. The vegetables and herbs that we are producing from our Portable Farms are not in any form at par with those available in the whole market in our country of Botswana including those from up-market stores for using heirloom seeds only in an aquaponic set-up we just beat them all in quality and taste. Because of this uniqueness in taste and freedom from pesticides and chemicals, we no longer source/buy our veggies and herbs elsewhere, but directly from our own farm. We proudly choose not to eat them unless they are sourced from Portable Farms. It is amazing. We have already started promoting the farm products to various outlets including restaurants, hotels, individuals, etc. and the results are positive, and we could be selling volumes soon. This goes side-by-side with the promotion of Portable Farms concept to fellow countrymen, the results are also positive in this area. What makes it even more positive now is that people can see for themselves physically the potential of aquaponics and the quality of food it can produce. I must say I have now achieved my goal, and my dream has come true. What is left is to sail to prosperity, all attributable to Colle and Phyllis. You’re so great guys! I am very proud of you. Thanks very much for your patience and continued support to get us where we are now. In Botswana Language we say “le ka moso’, meaning ‘let it be so even tomorrow.’

Thanks very much for shipping the FF Mineral Rock Dust consignment; it has eventually arrived after waiting in anticipation. We have already applied it to the grow-areas two weeks ago, and the farm staff tells me that there is already a difference and the plants are flourishing better than before, and they are very proud of them.

We have grown and tested quite a variety of plants, and we are confident we can grow anything for what our local markets dictate.

I hope to get a least one or more commercial farms built before the end of this year (2013), and remember my business is your business. Things have never been so positive, I think, as mentioned earlier, because the Portable Farm is in place and undoubtedly and visibly producing unmatched food products in the market.
To Phyllis, I must say, you did very well during your presentation at the inventor’s forum, I was proud to watch it on video from the net. Could I please have a copy of that presentation so that I could tailor make it for our use, because very soon I’ll be asked to make presentations as more people apply for funding to finance their own Portable Farms projects.

Our Farm is called AquaFarm (PFAS).

Thank you so much my friends, and may God Bless you for ever!
J.T. Mapoka Portable Farms Aquaponics Systems Country License Holder in the Country of Botswana, Africa

What Makes Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems Different?

What Makes Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems Different? 
– by Colle and Phyllis Davis

Aquaponics can be traced back over 4,700 years to an area located in present-day China. The technology has been in use for a very long time. The older systems were referred to as pass-through or as one time water-use systems. This means the input water passes through the system in a series of steps to help in the production of meat, vegetables, fish and cleaner output water.

 

Modern aquaponics tend to be closed loop systems where the water is recycled throughout the system. Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems uses a ‘closed loop system’ similar to modern day hydroponics. The water is used to remove the waste from the fish tanks, deliver the nutrients (less the fish-waste solids) to the plants and then return the water which is now stripped of nutrients and re-oxygenated back to the fish tanks. The PFAS is different in several respects from most other aquaponics systems now in use.

In the 45 year design phase of the Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems , the major parameters were to have a system that was easy to operate and very nearly indestructible. To achieve this dual goal the design required an overlay of software on the existing technology.


The best way to understand how this was accomplished is to use a computer or smart phone as an example. The hardware components of these devices are very similar and can be manufactured by a wide variety of companies. The differences between the different brands or models lie in the software used to operate the equipment. The software is designed to take advantage of the hardware and be flexible enough to accept apps or programs in order to add functionality to the device itself.

The Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems is designed exactly the same way. The basic technology of aquaponics is a commodity or open-sourced material where anyone can actually build an aquaponics system using information gathered from the Internet and materials gathered locally. The difference is that the Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems is the software package that makes the collection of components operate at peak efficiency and is also flexible enough to allow for changes due to environmental conditions, crops differences and emergencies.

There is no single point of failure in a commercial Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems installation. This huge safety factor is achieved because each Module is a stand-alone system with two separate points of failure, neither of which is critical to the health of the fish or plants for up to twelve hours. IF a single Module were to fail, it will not in any way jeopardize the entire installation. If a single Module fails in a Commercial Installation it represents less than 5% of the output of that installation. A computerized warning system can be installed to notify one or more people of any impending or actual failures that may occur.

This technology analogy is the best and probably the only way to explain the enormous advantage that Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems  has over other aquaponics systems. This is especially true when compared to the raft systems which consume many times as much water and electrical power than medium-based systems (we use gravel). Most raft systems have a single-system-wide point of failure which is an electrical pump that is running at all times. When/if this pump fails, the system immediately puts the fish at risk and very quickly the fish will die. The best software in the world cannot workaround this design flaw.

  • For commercial installations our PFAS LLC engineers are onsite to oversee the initial setup and to train the local crew(s) on how to properly assemble and operate the system. 

Aquaponics makes controlled environment growing more than a feasible addition to the food supply. It makes feeding a growing middle class a lucrative and rewarding investment. The Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems is the most advanced, best producing, least energy intensive aquaponics system in the world. Start yours today. 

Zucchini Grow WELL in Portable Farms

Zucchini! OH YUM. You can cook almost anything with zucchini and they are EASY to grow year round in a Portable Farms Aquaponics System! Generally, zucchini are grown during the summer (May to August in the Northern Hemisphere). Zucchini is a small summer squash (a vegetable) that looks like a cucumber but has yellow flesh inside after you peel off its think dark-green skin.

Zucchini production from a single full size 1.5m x 12m (18m2) Grow Tray in a Portable Farms Aquaponics System :

  • Each Grow Tray can hold 120 plants (50cm x 30cm centers) and be planted three to four times per year
  • Production is normally over a 20 to 35 day period
  • Because the plants are very small when initially planted there is a two to three month growing period before harvest
  • Staking or trellising may be required and can be installed permanently
  • Zucchini yield is between 1.5 and 4k per plant depending on variety
  • Yield per plant is 12 to 17 zucchini per plant depending on variety
  • No pesticides, fungicides or artificial fertilizers are ever used
  • Zucchini can be harvested and used the same day for peak flavor and texture
  • Yields 660 lbs to 1,760 lbs [300 to 800kg] every four months
  • Yield 1,980 lbs to 5,300lbs [900 to 2400kg] per year
  • 68lbs [31kg] per week
  • 10lbs [4.5kg] per day

Using the lowest yield with the shortest harvest season and three crops per space per year the Return On Investment will be approximately 1.1 years [68 lbs [31kg] x 52 weeks = 3,536 lbs [1,612kg] of zucchini per year per module] and priced at $1.00 per pound]. In most cases this production number will be much higher and will continue to rise as the operators become more skilled and the system matures.

Labor costs are higher than with lettuce because of the pruning, training and harvesting of peppers. This is true for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and any plant that requires extra time after planting. Lettuces does not, plant it and then a few weeks later harvest it and plant the same place again. One person can operate a 10,000 sq ft PFAS if they are only growing lettuce. With other bush or vine crops two to four additional personnel are required.

Please note: The above numbers are based on the lowest expected yields from field grown crops, use the shortest possible harvest time plus the longest time from transplant to finish harvest. In other words, the lowest possible output from the Module for this crop is shown. The actual output from each Module can and probably will be from two to four times as high resulting in a much shorter ROI.

Deep Fried Beer Batter Tilapia Recipe

Deep Fried Beer Batter Tilapia Recipe

from Phyllis Davis’ Cookbook, 10 Tantalizing Tilapia Recipes to Titillate Your Tastebuds©

COOKBOOK COVER 2

Ingredients:

tilapia in pan8 to 10 Tilapia Fillets (4 to 6 ounces each) cut into 2 inch strips

8 Tablespoons of lemon or lime juice (freshly squeezed juice works better than concentrate)

½  Cup chopped parsley

6 Tablespoons olive oil

¼ Teaspoon salt

¼ Teaspoon pepper

1 Cup oil for deep frying.

Beer Batter Ingredients:

beer

3 large egg yolks

½ Cup beer

 ¾ Cup flour

½ Tablespoon salt

½ Tablespoon baking powder

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Directions:

tilapia fried1) Cut Tilapia fillets into 2 inches strips (the more even and uniform they are, the nicer the presentation, and the strips will also cook uniformly).

2) Put all the Tilapia strips in a bowl with the lemon or lime juice, parsley, olive oil, and add salt and pepper.

3) In another bowl, mix egg yolks and beer and add flour, salt and baking powder   and mix until smooth with no lumps in the batter.

3) Begin to heat oil for deep frying.

4) Dip pieces of fish, individually, into the beer batter, and then lay or drop them into medium hot oil.

5) Again, cook over medium heat. Turn the fish strips over after three minutes or until golden brown all over. Cook 3 minutes on each side. If you make the oil too hot, it will smoke, and your beer batter will cook before your fish cooks.

6) Drain strips well and serve hot.

Serve with french fries or baked potato wedges, corn on the cob, baked beans, garlic bread,  tarter sauce, lemon wedges. Serve cherry or apple pie for dessert.

The HEALTHIEST Bread in the World – NO FLOUR!

The HEALTHIEST Bread in the World – NO FLOUR!
– by Colle and Phyllis Davis

bread1

This bread recipe has NOTHING to do with aquaponics, but many of our readers are full-fledged ‘foodies’ (as we are) and we enjoy passing along recipes that light us up. THIS ONE IS A GOODIE. You must try it.

The Danes make the best breads in the world and I’m passing along a much-loved recipe of theirs that is so good for us that we make it regularly. WE LOVE IT and it’s high in fiber and protein. It’s also gluten-free and vegan and digests easily (pre-soaked ingredients).

This is NOT sandwich bread. You can use this Life-Changing Loaf of Bread in a variety of novel and healthy ways:

  • Toast a slice
  • Crumble up a small slice and use as a morning cereal. Add blueberries, bananas or fresh peaches for a royal treat. Colle makes fresh almond milk for cereal twice a week by adding a dozen unsalted almonds, a few walnuts and 2 tablespoons of unsweetened coconut, a cup of ice and about 10 cups of water into our Vita-Mix. Blend to mix and serve over cereal. It is delicious!
  • Toss a few tablespoons of this great bread into yogurt for a taste treat.
  • Crumble up a small slice and throw over a fresh lettuce, vegetable or fruit salad for a crunchy surprise.
  • Throw a few tablespoons into a protein drink for added flavor and texture.

bread 2

Makes 1 loaf

I mix all the dry ingredients in great batch quantities to last for a month so I can make this recipe quickly without have to get out all the ingredients every time I make a loaf. Then, when I want to make it, I just measure out the 2 2/3 cups of the dry ingredients then just mix in the liquid ingredients to let it sit (minimum 3 hours) prior to baking. Since the bread lasts five days (when wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or wax or freezer paper and secured well with 2 rubber bands), I make four or five loaves per month to have on hand around our busy house to serve guests as a special yet healthy treat.

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sunflower seeds
  • ½ cup flax seeds
  • ½ cup hazelnuts or almonds
  • 1 ½ cups rolled oats
  • 2 Tbsp. chia seeds
  • 4 Tbsp. psyllium seed husks (3 Tbsp. if using psyllium husk powder)
  • 1 tsp. fine grain sea salt

Liquid Ingredients:

  • 1 Tbsp. maple syrup (we use light agave nectar – found at most supermarkets – instead of maple syrup)
  • 3 Tbsp. coconut oil, melted
  • 1 ½ cups water

First, whisk maple syrup (or agave nectar), oil and water together in a separate bowl.

Then MIX ALL THE DRY INGREDIENTS WELL and then add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients and combine until everything is completely soaked and dough becomes very thick, adding 1-2 teaspoons water if dough is too thick to stir. Pour the mixture into a baking pan and then pound down the mixture so there are no air pockets anywhere in the mixture. Slap it with your hands or with a wooden spoon. Smooth the top and then let sit at room temperature IN THE BAKING PAN for at least 3 hours or overnight before cooking.

Instead of a typical metal baking pan, I use a silicone baking pan (it is flexible and is great for baking) and the bread just pops out perfectly (image above).

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Bake bread for 20 minutes, then remove bread from loaf pan, place the loaf upside down directly on a rack, and bake for another 40 minutes (it should sound hollow when tapped). Let cool completely before slicing.

Store in an airtight wrapping or container for up to 5 days.

Secure Seed Vault?

Secure Seed Vault
– by Colle and Phyllis Davis

seedHave you ever considered putting vegetable seeds in a tin can or air-tight pouch ‘just in case’ you need to grow your own food? There is a hot  new trend sweeping the world for saving seeds that are non-GMO, heirloom and organic. It’s a good idea to prepare for the future in these uncertain times. Think of starting your own seed vault for the future to pass onto your children or grandchildren.

Seeds do not last forever. Typical seed packet labels for garden seeds state an ‘expiration date’ of around a year but there are methods for extended the sprouting percentages for seeds and by freezing the seeds and you can extend the chances for 90% sprouting for up to 30 years; long-term cold-storage units may become the rage if the demand presents itself.

Portable Farms600 miles from the North Poll, hidden deep inside a snow covered mountain is buried the world’s most protected seed supply storage in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Nicknames such as the “Doomsday Vault”, the “Noah’s Ark for seeds” and “the Fort Knox of food” have added to the fame of the Vault.

Despite war or climate change, these seeds will remain frozen and intact to protect the world’s food supply despite natural or man-made disasters. The Vault can therefore be considered the ultimate insurance policy for the world’s food supply. It will secure for centuries, or longer, millions of seeds representing every important crop variety available in the world today.

What’s The Doomsday Seed Vault Really For?

The Seed Vault was officially opened on February 26, 2008, by Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg. At that time, Prime Minister Stoltenberg deposited the first box of seeds into the vault, rice seeds from 123 countries. The initial deposit contained 268,000 different seed samples. Two years later, March 2010, the vault contained 500,000 samples making it the most diverse inventory in the world. Each of the samples contains about 500 seeds, meaning there are now over 250 million seeds in cold storage in the Vault today. 

Doomsday Seed Vault In Svalbard

While the Svalbard Global Seed Vault is a valuable contribution to the world’s food supply, we pose the question to you, our own readers, to ask you if you own any seeds that might be a safeguard against rising food costs for you and your family? How about a packet of tomato seeds? No? Well, this might give you some ideas to plan ahead so you can put a packet of them in your freezer, JUST IN CASE, you ever need them.

Of course, we recommend you own your Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems so you can have a consistent supply of fresh, nutritious food on hand regardless of weather or economic forecasts.

 

Trending: Eating Locally Grown Food

Trending: Eating Locally Grown Food
– by Colle and Phyllis Davis

Sales from locally grown foods have increased 20% PER YEAR over the past ten years with output reaching nearly $11 billion nationwide in the US.

There is a growing movement across the world to secure and eat organic or at least locally grown foods to increase local economies and reduce the carbon footprint. The movement has become so powerful and wide spread that nearly every major supermarket in the world carries some organic/locally grown food for their discerning customers.

According to the University of Florida, “Buying locally grown foods decreases dependence on petroleum, a non-renewable energy source. One-fifth of all petroleum used in the United States is used in agriculture. Some statistics show that the average distance food travels in distribution is 1,500 miles. By learning to eat foods that are locally available and in season, families can do their part to save energy. By buying local, you can conserve the large amount of energy used in both the packaging and shipping of food.”

Build a Portable Farms Aquaponics System to take advantage of a cutting-edge and water saving technology to safeguard your family’s health and your greenhouse extends your growing season very nicely, and you then can have complete control of what you grow, what you feed your plants and most importantly, what you are feeding your family.

The NEW Enhanced PFAS also has other advantages:

No pesticides are ever used
– – – Less water use than any other type of commercial growing system available today
– – – The waste water is a valuable fertilizer that can be used on other crops or sold at a profit
– – – Waist high work area
– – – No single point of failure
– – – No weeding – ever
– – –  Watering is automatic
– – – No soil or dirt inside the building

PFAS LLC recommends the following ENHANCEMENTS to a regular PFAS installation:
– – – The addition of micro-nutrients that include iron, magnesium, calcium and potassium and 53 other vital minerals are supplied with organic FF-Mineral Rock Dust
– – – High performance greenhouse coverings that protect from weather extremes.
– – – Insulation of all walls and roof that do not contribute direct sunlight to the grow trays
– – – Grow lights capable of providing maximum full spectrum lighting for both greens and blooming plants.
– – – Inert growing medium for planting seeds
– – – Trellis installation for maximum vertical growing for blooming plants
– – – Low cost fish tank heaters
– – – Automatic water leveling system for fish tanks.

Pesticide & GMO Free Food is Rare and Precious

Pesticide & GMO Free Food is Rare and Precious
– by Colle and Phyllis Davis

stop gmo hands 2PLEASE NOTE: GMO seeds are commonly used in field crops like corn and wheat but will KILL broad leaf vegetables like tomatoes and lettuces. There are many misconceptions about GMO seeds used in planting typical vegetable gardens and Portable Farms® uses NO GMO seeds in our aquaponics systems. GMO seeds are commonly used in the crops corn, wheat, soy, cotton, sugar, zucchini, squash, papaya, aspartame, and milk products. Here is a list of products containing GMO (scary list – we have always loved Thomas English Muffins, but no more).

 

Future of Federal GMO Food Disclosure Rules in Limbo
from National Law Review – Friday, January 27, 2017

Funding issues could delay the implementation of new federal GMO food disclosure rules

  • As previously discussed on this blog, a new federal law requiring labeling of genetically modified (GM) foods and food ingredients was signed into law on July 29, 2016.  This law directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop regulations and standards to create mandatory disclosure requirements for bio-engineered foods by July 2018.  Under the new law, food companies would have three options to disclose GMO ingredients: the use of on-package text, a USDA-created symbol, or an internet link — i.e., a QR code printed on the package that directs customers to GMO information.  To support the development of the regulations and standards required by the new law, USDA is slated to conduct a study to identify potential technological challenges that might impact whether consumers would be able to rely on electronic or digital links on food packages.
  • A recent news report, however, indicates that USDA is struggling to secure the funds to move forward with the study which, under the law, should be completed by this July.  Despite the current delays, a USDA official indicates that the Agency “fully expects to meet all deadlines set forth in the law.”
  • Industry will continue to keep a close eye on developments as they unfold, particularly with a new administration at the helm.

 

Fossil Water – No Water Means No Life

Portable FarmsFossil Water – No Water Means No Life
-by Colle and Phyllis Davis

Fossil water like fossil fuel is a non-renewable resource. It is not as rare as  the ‘rare earth metals’ but once we use it up, it’s gone forever and for those who depend on this water supply (that’s all of us to some degree) are running out of time and options.

Being protective and adopting an attitude of sustainability is key to the future for a prosperous and healthy world. The earth has 7.4 billion inhabitants  The United Nations estimates it will further increase to 11.2 billion in the year 2100.

Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems require 95% LESS water than in-ground growing. PLUS, they produce the ready availability of a protein source though the growing of fish. Dr. Latham, Director of the Program in International Nutrition at Cornell University claims that malnutrition is a frequent cause of death and disease in third world countries. Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) affects 500 million people and kills 10 million annually.

Most aquifers used for irrigation and for drinking water are being naturally replenished by infiltration of water from precipitation including rain and snow melt. This regular precipitation recharges the open or normal aquifers whereas the fossil water aquifers really are relics of past times and get very little recharge. The mining of fossil water (the extraction of water from these ancient reservoirs) results in land subsidence and an increased salinity in the soils being irrigated with this water. Water from these wells is being pumped out at a rate that far exceeds the natural recharge rate which is some cases is basically zero.  Another odd effect is that water mining has been blamed for contributing to rising sea levels because the water wasn’t in the hydrologic system before and is now being added to the total water available on the surface of the earth.

But wait, who cares if we’re using up this water? Poor farmers and not so poor farmers need water to raise high-value crops to feed the growing mass of humanity. Who cares if the water runs out? What difference will it make if we run out of cheap water next year? Or, in ten years or in a hundred years?

Because it doesn’t matter how long it takes, it will happen and when it does the gene pool will become smaller very quickly. Water is far more important than oil. You do not need oil to survive, but you do need water and when water becomes so expensive that people are willing to kill over it, everyone loses. It will not matter where you live or what you ‘control,’ you will be impacted by the scarcity of water everywhere in the world. Initially the shortages will be spotty and the violence will be contained to local areas, but very quickly the ‘fight will be on’ for control of the water. Oil is a take it or leave it proposition for the populous, but water is absolutely essential to life itself. No water means no life.

Today, be aware and take notice how long you take standing in the shower, how often you flush the toilet and how often you drink a glass of water/coffee/soft drink. You can skip the shower and the flush, but no matter how much you want to stretch out your personal water supply, some other selfish idiot will be using up your water at a prodigious rate.

Sound advice: Create your own protected, replenishing water supply, a stable food supply and a few good neighbors who are willing to share their talents and their labor with you to insure you all stay alive so that your genes have a chance to be part of the survivor group, whatever that will look like.

This means the developing world will face hardships in providing:

Food

Water

Housing

Energy to their growing populations

 

Organic Commercial Aquaponics

Organic Commercial Aquaponics 
-by Colle and Phyllis Davis


Aquaponics is a relatively NEW TECHNOLOGY and the laws and rulings are changing. Please check with your county and state regulations for their regulations and rules for food they consider to be be organically grown if you are interested in receiving organic certification for selling food grown in Portable Farms.

The most amazing and delightful feature of organic aquaponics is you have no choice but to be organic. After all, harsh chemicals or pesticides would instantly kill the fish in the tanks.

The USDA recently upgraded the requirements for certification and labeling your production as Locally Grown, Pesticide Free is far less expensive and is what people are requesting. The rest of this article on organic can be see as locally grown, pesticide free for easier understanding.

The technology of aquaponics, if done correctly, is by itself friendly and healthy to humans, fish and plants. The installations can be certified organic the moment they are operational.

With hydroponics, the use of inorganic compounds and chemicals are used when growing in just ‘water and nutrients’. Even pesticides can be used. Organic hydroponics still produces a waste product that the US Government EPA says must be treated as a hazardous waste.

Hear Colle Davis, Lead Inventor, Portable Farms Aquaponics Systems, talk about commercial aquaponics and his book, Commercial Aquaponics GOLD. 

  • Commercial Aquaponics Gold, EBOOK. For more information and to purchase, CLICK HERE.
  • This comprehensive information about commercial aquaponics provides you will all the facts you’ll need to make an informed business decision about commercial aquaponics growing in controlled environment agricultural (CEA).
  • We’re also offering TWO FREE BONUSES with the purchase of Commercial Aquaponics GOLD: 1) A formal ten-step strategy business plan template designed specifically for commercial aquaponics growing to present to funders and, 2) PFAS LLC’s Executive Summary showing production and operating costs, profits and best-produce choices to achieve the shortest Return on Investment.

Aquaponics is different because the fish must be taken into consideration and nearly everything that will kill bugs will also kill fish. No insecticides (not even organic pesticides) can be used on the plants or you will kill the fish. The ‘soil’ never has to be fumigated. There is no crop rotation and the installations can be next to the consumer outlet.

The price differential between conventionally grown (read scary) food and organic food is high enough to encourage more and more producers to switch to organic methods. Now add to that fact that organic food that can be grown very near the consumer and the economics of organic aquaponics becomes VERY compelling. The transportation cost of produce is often half of price the consumers are paying for the vegetables.

With climatically adapted structures, organic aquaponics can supply the local markets with many tables vegetables and fish and supply healthy produce on a year round basis at a very competitive price. The price differential is often the size of the profit margin.

Let’s add up all the advantages of organic commercial aquaponics to see how it can impact the bottom line of those investors smart enough to jump in and begin to reap the benefits:

  • Year round food production
  • (Organic) vegetables
  • Locally grown
  • Pesticide free
  • Custom orders available to customers
  • NO transportation costs
  • Local labor force of semi-skilled people needed
  • Known operating expenses such as electrical power and water
  • No engineers needed
  • Staff training available and required
  • All components readily available
  • Remote monitoring available

Now the cost to get into the game.

tilapia swimming3

Tilapia – the fish most commonly used in the Northern Hemisphere. The Southern Hemisphere raises a white perch or beramundi.

A small commercial aquaponics installation contains at least 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft (300 to 500 m2) to be viable. The following number DO NOT CONSIDER land cost. A truly viable commercial installation is in the 8,000 to 10,000 sq ft (800 to 1000 m2) size and has a cost of US$250,000 to $300,000 turnkey cost with a 3 to 5 year ROI. The climatically adapted structure is the most costly capital expense UNLESS an existing building is used. Converting a warehouse to aquaponics transfers initial capital cost to operating costs.

A smaller 3,000 sq ft (300 m2) installation to start will be in the US$90,000 to US$130,000. The scaling of costs is not linear. The ROI on this small installation can actually be shorter because the owner is nearly always the person doing the most work. The labor costs are lower because only two people have to be trained to operate the installation.

First step: Do your market survey to see who will actually buy everything you produce at premium prices.

Next step: Get the money together.

Step three: Take the Aquaponics University Portable Farms® Aquaponics Systems Course©, we’ll credit the cost of the course to your order of twenty or more PFAS Kits.

 

Subdivision farming: http://fortune.com/2015/05/21/commercial-farming-in-your-subdivision/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/03/organic-agriculture-more-profitable_n_7497018.html