Aquaponic Farming for Sustainable Rural Agriculture: A Review Paper
Abstract
Aquaponics is a sustainable food production system that combines aquaculture, i.e. fish farming, and hydroponics, which grows plants without soil, and is recognized as an innovative and practical solution for agriculture, especially in rural areas. Globally, many rural communities continue to face significant challenges such as declining agricultural productivity, lack of soil fertility, and limited access to modern agricultural technologies. These issues threaten the food security and economic stability of rural populations. Aquaponics offers a promising alternative by enabling communities to grow food using minimal land and water, while supporting a closed-loop and environmentally friendly system. To investigate the evaluation of recent literature reviews on aquaponics as a sustainable agriculture in rural communities, this study uses existing literature and theoretical insights related to rural development, sustainability, and technology adoption. The methodology used in this study was to use the Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases to search for quality journal articles. Thematic analysis was then used to identify recurring patterns, insights, and challenges. The outcome of the literature review is a deeper understanding of how aquaponics can empower rural communities and that it is not just an agricultural technique, but a pathway to food security, economic resilience and environmental sustainability. This study intends to increase awareness, interest and encourage wider adoption of aquaponics in rural Malaysia.
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References
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