The Business of Aquaponics

[Earthan Group]

yeah why does your first post have links to the same place three times and not related to the topic?

[GaryD]

Tidy catch, Paul.....he's gone.

[GaryD]

Hi,

I found this little gem during my nocturnal meanderings (thanks Rupert) and it is arguably one of the most thorough analyses of the viability of economics that I have seen. It also gives an excellent insight into the workings of Growing Power.

Here's the abstract for those who don't like 100 page documents.....

This thesis provides a cash flow analysis of an aquaponics system growing tilapia, perch, and lettuce in a temperate climate utilizing data collected via a case study of an aquaponics operation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Literature regarding the financial feasibility of aquaponics as a business is scant. This thesis determines that in temperate climates, tilapia and vegetable sales or, alternatively, yellow perch and vegetable sales are insufficient sources of revenue for this aquaponics system to offset regular costs when grown in small quantities and when operated as a stand-alone for-profit business. However, it is possible to reach economies of scale and to attain profitability with a yellow perch and lettuce system. Moreover, there may be ways to increase the margin of profitability or to close the gap between income and expense through such things as alternative business models, value adding, procuring things for free, and diversifying revenue streams. Any organization or individual considering an aquaponics operation should conduct careful analysis and planning to determine if profitability is possible and to understand, in the instance that an aquaponics operation is not profitable, if the community and economic development benefits of the system outweigh the costs.

In general, there are all manner of useful things in the document......a good read.

Gary