Demiko Sawyer, Agricultural Assistant, planting seeds for mixed greens

Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - Aquaponics is an exciting method of growing food for the world. It has advantages that traditional agriculture does not. Depending on crop selection it can yield three to twenty times more than traditional field agriculture, and can be built anywhere since it does not depend on soil. The production of food using a reduced footprint permits additional land to remain open and available to protect vital natural habitats. Since Aquaponics has the potential of increasing local food production it has the opportunity for creating local employment and reinvestment of money in the community. 

Traditional methods of farming on the other hand, are complex businesses that require a great deal of infrastructure and large capital investment. To pursue commercial farming the ground must be specially prepared at great cost and large amounts of fertilizer and water resources are required. In short, traditional agriculture is a difficult and costly enterprise that few Bahamians may not be interested in pursuing.

At the Garden of the Groves the Aquaponics farm is a working model of sustainable food production wherein plant and animal agriculture are integrated and recycling of nutrients and water filtration are linked. The waste products of one biological system serve as nutrients for a second biological system. The fish waste products are used to create the nutrients that grow the plants. The integration of fish and plants result in a poly-culture that increases diversity and yields multiple products requiring no fertilizers or pesticides. By using renewable energy solutions you reduce the environmental footprint and its impact, lowering costs and thereby providing less expensive, fresh produce for the local consumer marketplace.

Wayne Hall, Aquaponics Operations Manager, and Erika Gates of Garden of the Groves, enjoy first results

Aquaponic systems can be tailor-made to its users; they can be situated in accessible environments and raised or lowered as appropriate. They are ideal for people with mobility impairments and other physical disabilities, the elderly, women and other marginalized individuals. It can act as a focal point in communities, strengthening ties and networks. It is dependable and repeatable. In traditional agriculture weather can have an adverse effect on outcome in any given season while aquaponics eliminate any dependency on the elements.

The Aquaponics facility at The Garden of The Groves, when completed will encompass a total of 10,000+ sq. ft. and will be the largest commercial aquaponics facility in the Bahamas, specifically designed to be a public demonstration system. It may also be the largest and only public demonstration system in the Caribbean.

The aquaponics facility at Garden of the Groves