BLUEGRASS

Aquaponics is an integrated production system that, based on the circular economy principles and industrial symbiosis methods, provides for a reduction in the environmental impact of the agri-food sector. This technique involves the cultivation of vegetables without the use of land, and with a decrease in water consumption of up to 90% with respect to traditional farming practices, by recycling organic wastewater from fish farms. The aquaponics offers the following advantages: (1) it doesn’t require the use of fertilisers, as it uses nutrients derived from fish farming; (2) it limits the use of land, since the plants do not need to compete for the nutrients; (3) it doesn’t require the use of pesticides, as these substances are not compatible with fish farming; (4) it reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, as it doesn’t require the use of agricultural equipment. Based on these characteristics, aquaponics is considered a green technology, and its introduction within the INTERREG program area will represent a real development opportunity for the agri-food sector, creating new job opportunities. BLUEGRASS aims to promote and support the development of aquaponics within the area covered by the Program. The project entails the following activities: (1) the performance of a market analysis to identify the specific territorial needs in terms of demand; (2) the implementation and testing of 2 pilot plants (one in Slovenia and one in Italy); (3) The engagement of the stakeholders, including farmers, breeders and researchers (4) The raising of consumer awareness by conducting teaching and demonstration activities. To this end a consortium of 5 members has been established, consisting of two universities (the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, in Italy, and the University of Ljubljana, in Slovenia), one public administration (UTI del Noncello, Italy), and two cooperatives with expertise in the aquaculture sector (SHORELINE, Italy) and in the agricultural sector (KZ-AGRARIA, Slovenia).