Aquaponics Development in Brunei Darussalam 2
Aquaponics refers to the integration of aquaculture- which means raring fish or other aquatic animals, and hydroponic- growing of plants. Plants use the metabolic waste produced by aquatic creatures. Bacteria in the gravel and on the plant- roots play an essential role in nutrient processing. Vegetables clean up the water that goes on the fish pond while microbes, along with fish waste, constitute nutrient formation. Beneficials bacteria gather on the plant roots and convert waste from fish into substances plants use to grow. Aquaponics is considered a simple and sustainable food production system in developing states as well as in arid areas, where resources are scarce. Fish are in charge of feeding the plants, and the type used include freshwater fish- most common is tilapia or barramundi because they can endure diverse water conditions. On the other hand, small aquaponic can be based on small gardens that grow vegetables that do not require fatty nutrients uptake. The purpose of this paper focuses on how aquaponic has developed in Brunei Darussalam compared to other countries.
Literature Review
Agriculture in Brunei Darussalam- Background
Brunei Darussalam has agricultural initiatives launched, including rice hybrids and growing plants in waters. Under how agrotechnology has edged the sustenance of food, significant attention now is on aquaponics. According to the department of agriculture and agri-food (DAA), the figures point that agri-food sectors, which exclude crops and livestock, made make up nearly 30% of the overall industry. The total value is approximated to be $86 million, representing 37% every year. Typically, Brunei is almost the size of Bangkok; the government has allowed only a small percent for agriculture while a large proportion is forested. Limited land availability necessitates Agri-tech programs, with fish farming and rice cultivation playing an essential role in boosting domestic output.
Brunei’s agricultural sector shares a GDP of 0.7%, with about 1,4% of the population employed. Such a figure points out that further growth is crucial for a nation depending on imported food products accounting for 80% of the national food supply. Imports of rice come from Thailand, and recently the country started to purchase from Cambodia and Vietnam. Reliance on food from outside states prompted ambitious government efforts to achieve self-sufficiency of 60% by 2015. Rice innovation is an essential part of Brunei’s agricultural growth. The nation is working closely with neighborhoods on programs to build facilities. Additionally, Brunei further bid to boost the productivity of rice fields, with Malaysia agreeing to help with projects funded by the Islamic development bank (IDB). Brunei has the ambition to become a self-sufficient country in the production of crops such as rice with a partnering country willing to share technology.
One key area of development that the country looks to explore is farming techniques on aquaponics- a system that eliminates the need to use soil or fertilizers. Local agrotechnology entities confirmed a collaboration with farmers and governments to introduce aquaponics in Brunei to promote sustainable farming and ensure food security. In 2018, Brunei took center stage by winning the ASEAN energy award under a project on renewable energy. The country’s innovative project tackles food insecurity and climate issues. Brunei has worn a special recognition with a project- Solar V aquaponic system.
Aquaponic In Other Countries
Aquaponics is a system of agriculture that is not only in Brunei but in other countries as well. Brunei Darussalam is among the top nation leading in this innovation. However, the problem associated with this agrotechnology is similarly experienced. Aquaponic is a growing issue in Bangladesh, with an increased demand for biosystems. In both countries, aquaponic is used to solve the situation in society. For instance, in Bangladesh, there is an increased concern to increase nutrition for a growing population. On the other hand, Brunei experienced a similar population demand for food products. Aquaponic, in these cases, is adopted as a systematic approach to save population quest for food. Bangladesh experienced a lack of sufficient vegetable flower and herb lands for intensive cultivation. At the same time, Brunei faces the same issue of limited agricultural resources as most of the lands are forested. Thanks to aquaponic technology that these communities can grow vegetables and consume fish with increased mobility.
On the contrary, there is a lack of sufficient data to support economically feasible aquaponic programs in Bangladesh. Profitable plans for the aquaponic approach include growing Chinese cabbage lettuce, roses, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Typical plants include salad food that has attained great success in the aquaponic system, and they include cucumbers, shallots, red salad, tomatoes, snow peas, and onions. Bangladesh university has contributed significantly to devising cost-effective plans for aquaponic systems.
Just like Brunei, Bangladesh is a densely populated country and has small land with vast waster areas. Both nations have the potential of excellent fish culture due to abundant water supply or resources available. Currently, aquaculture is opted and intensified in Bangladesh and Brunei to help meet the demand for fish protein for a large population. Conversion of agricultural land to other uses is done daily basis, and this increases pressure on available natural resources. Research identifies that food security and food safety are of primary concern in these two nations.
Economic and Social Benefits
Stress that a lack of land and water scarcity are some current issues facing agricultural production. According to the authors, the problem is primarily in underdeveloped areas that have scarcity resources. The situation creates the need to re-examine how food is produced. With an increase in demand for fish, ocean fish catches continue to decline. Aquaponic culture is now a new segment providing an answer to the food issue dilemma in the agriculture sector.
() state that aquaponic, a combined culture of fish and plants, has gained popularity in the modern food market. The system offers numerous benefits where an interdependent system can sustain different types of farm produce. However, authors warn of involved complexities with the aquaponic system as an emerging technology in farming practice. Essentially, the technical components of aquaponics are fish and plants. Agreeably, at its highest level, the aquaponic program is a technology-intensive, knowledge demanding, and resource exhaustive.
() Infer that aquaponic has been widely applied in the education sector, particularly in natural sciences at both primary and secondary levels. In vocational training, this system is widely integrated for practical learning. However, the authors point out that little is done to examine social applicability in health, well-being, and demonstration projects. Moreover, more work needs to be done to claim that aquaponic systems facilitate educational benefits fully.
According to (), a significant increase in the worldwide human population take place in urban areas. As such, food security and infrastructure are central issues that aquaponic programs prove to answer the problems. Today, most urban centers worldwide experience the challenge of sufficient food supply. Aquaponic projects implemented as urban agriculture programs or community farming help alleviate food problems. Besides food issues, authors add that aquaponic can fulfill other roles like serving as an educational tool on learning institutions.
Methodology
The intent and focus on the research are interpretive, meaning it seeks to examine how and why a particular subject functions by applying a qualitative approach. The research method uses, in this case, to explore more about aquaponic systems in Brunei Darussalam is a semi-structured interview. The study approach incorporated one participant, a subject expert in BIT organization. According to studies, interview methodology is considered perhaps the oldest among social sciences methods. Asking a study participant a series of questions to seek knowledge about a concept, topic, or subject is common among sociologists or anthropologists since the inception of the disciplines. Interviews can be conducted face to face, using telephones or the internet as well as in a group setting. In this case, the interview with a BIT aquaponic participant in Brunei Darussalam was conducted one on one. Open-ended interviews are commonly used in qualitative studies, and often, they are governed by a guide or aide-memoire that have topics, themes, or issues to tackle. The intention of this method was to make the interviewer remain flexible throughout and probe deeply into responses to gain more details.
Findings
The collected data through the interview approach can be analyzed or presented based on topic, content, or subject. Trends on interview responses can be categorized into five areas: challenges, consumers in the market, types of aquaponic products, characteristics of workers, profit margin, and cost of production. Under workers, the interviewee informed that three people work for the aquaponic farms. Working in aquaponic systems is more hands-on, and employees learn from their superiors practically and through online research. People work a maximumly eight hours in a day, but this depends on factors like environmental conditions as BIT aquaponic systems are erected outside.
BIT aquaponic systems face some challenges like attacks by animals, birds, and scarce capital. The participant reported that it is hard to get supplies from other nations due to shipments’ difficulties. Compared with aquaponic farms in a developed country like the US, BIT systems in Brunei Darussalam have less technology savvy. Supplies are widely accessible in foreign states. Additionally, issues were cited as problems, like lack of lands for extension and maintenance cost of systems.
Aquaponic farms produce majorly consumed by local individuals- neighbors, families, relatives, or foreign workers. Different produces are grown at different times of the year, with a significant focus on farm outputs being fish, vegetables, and herbs. Products like lettuce are seasonal- grow in a monsoon while spinach can grow all year round. With fifteen aquaponic systems running in BIT farm, each program can carry about 140 plants in a month and produce 2100 vegetables. Red tilapia, catfish, and silver barb as major fish in the systems. Preferably red tilapia is more common due to its availability and adaptability in freshwaters. The participant also reported that some products are difficult to grow, including watercress, star gooseberry, and butterhead lettuce. Some plants like tomatoes, herbs, bitter gourd, cucumber, and fruit plants grow easily.
Under the production cost, the interviewee informed that an aquaponic system requires capital of up to $40,000. Maintaining an aquaponic system is not easy due to hardships, such as plants and fish taking time to adapt. Water and imbalanced nutrients were cited as the main issue for this, but once the system runs appropriately, systems are successful in producing for a long time. According to the survey respondent, the process is hard at the beginning. BIT does not use light technology due to electricity consumption and thus produces on a small scale.
Discussion
Challenges Faced
In Brunei, studies show that agriculture was once a vital economic activity but declined in importance since other discoveries on land like oil were made. A large population was employed in the agricultural sector, but the number continued to decrease, raising concerns about economic effects. People’s reluctance to invest in agricultural practices became a burden later regarding the effort to make innovative approaches. Aquaponic systems are skill and resource-intensive. A low level of expertise is a significant threat to large scale investment focus. Agriculture still lags when compared to other states like Canada, constituting only a low percentage of the labor force. As such, it implies that innovation is less is dormant than other industrial sectors, which can be considered a threat to the expansion of aquaponic expertise.
To assist farmers, Brunei, and other states like Bangladesh provide farm inputs like insecticides, fungicides as well as technical support to encourage modern civilization. While aquaponic is high attention-demanding, there is a problem with labor in the agricultural sectors in Brunei, where there are less skilled individuals. Typically, the country, in general, is characterized by an aging workforce and a high dependency on migrant labor. Lack of access to finances is a significant issue facing aquaponic farmers in Brunei. At the highest level, aquaponic programs is a technology-intensive, requiring sufficient capital, knowledge, and intensive expertise in food production. The latter is achieved through a systematic design of horizontal, vertical, and open re-circulation. The system is characterized by how plants are supplied with nutrients in hydroponic systems. In that way, limited access to capital for skilled labor or appropriate resources is a challenge to Brunei people.
Accessing finance to start-up aquaponic business is .difficult in Brunei compared to other states with wide access to financial supports. Brunei lacks the capital market and stock exchange. Additionally, the country has no central financial institution with available banks highly regulated by the ministry in charge of finance. Studies observe that about 75% of small, medium entrepreneurs lack access to financing and are forced to resort to personal or family funds. As such, individuals can be limited to start-up and maintain large-scale food production from aquaponic systems, unlike in other countries where people are well off.
Typically, it would be undisputed that the aquaponic program is a game-changer for food production not only in Brunei but also in developing countries. However, the high initial cost to start the program is an issue facing modern aquaponics. Approximately $40,000 for a small commercial program is a barrier. Furthermore, Individuals in Brunei lack technical training similar to other states, on the subject that locals have to be well enlightened before implementing such systems. Aquaponic requires consistent sources of power to maintain adequate water circulation. However, the issue can be likely addressed by opting for other electricity sources like solar, wind, or hydropower. In that case, more simplified designs are required to implement aquaponic in Brunei and other developing states that can withstand scarce raw materials, professionals, and technical support.
Additionally, local farmers like the BIT cite some barriers eco8ntered in developing these systems, including attacks by wild animals, birds, caterpillars, and supply issues. Some Brunei farmers do not have greenhouses or preferably opt to construct aquaponics systems outside for sunlight benefit. When products are ready, they are destroyed by birds, monkeys, and earthworms. Access to supplies from other states is cited as an issue because of shipment hardships. Comparing aquaponic farms in Brunei Darussalam and those in the US, the latter have tech-savvy due to widely available supplies.
Profit Margin or Cost of Production
In Brunei, aquaponic systems are considered a cost-effective program that can provide food year-round in dry season periods or where soil resource is scarce. A lack of need to use soil in the system is beneficial and implicates developing this system in urban areas. Studies have pointed out that an increase in health consciousness and word demand for aquatic food like fish and vegetables requires an aquaponic solution. Typically, there is no addition of chemical fertilizers as fish produce vital minerals essential for hydroponic plant growth. As such, low inputs make the system seem cost-effective. The demand for farm produce is high in Brunei or other countries’ urban zones. Given that cost of production is low aquaponic systems have a high-profit margin when well maintained. Aquaponic farmers In Brunei, target niche markets, supplying to restaurants across the country. Small scale farmers are trending in Brunei while the market for agriculture product become oversaturated. Young farmers agree that having consumed more than $30,000 to expand aquaponics systems, farming with agrotechnology might not be the most cost-effective approach to earn income. With the use of inexpensive soilless farming, revenue generated is sufficient to cover the farm’s operating costs. Clearing the land and constructing a greenhouse measure 40 by 100 system can cost approximately $40,000. When in full operation, this system can house over ten thousand plants. The start-up cost is allocated to cater to Zip-grow towers, supporting towers, lighting units, light racks, gallon nutrients reservoir with automatic nutrient management, and carbon dioxide injection. Indoor systems are resource-intensive, mainly due to lighting mechanisms. Crop yield can range up to 500 pounds in three and a half weeks with about ninety towers. Suppose the prices per pound are $3.5 in wholesale; it means total revenue generated would amount not less than $1,800.
Compared with other states, the production cost varies with that of Brunei, and so does the profit margin. For instance, in Scotland, the total investment range to $58,000, with annual returns of about $6,000. In Alabama, the investment cost is $70,000 and annual returns of between $4,000 to $11,000. Studies point out that Aquaponic locations in United states zones are more profitable than systems developed in Brunei Darussalam. The difference is thought to be related to reducing risks of losses emanating from weather conditions, utility cost, and power outage.
Characteristic of Worker
In Brunei’s aquaponic systems, only three people work in the farms based on interview results. Labor is intensive, with employees working 8 hours a day, but this is subject to weather conditions. In open farms, there is exposure to rain, but in an enclosed environment, much work can be done to monitor water levels in the systems. Types of task workers engaging in the farm include weeding, monitoring the water’s pH value, ensuring water is optimal, and feeding fish. According to an interview response, a worker feed fishes twice a day in one the farm in Brunei, move adult plants to better places for growth, harvest farm produce, and make new aquaponic designs. Like in other countries, most hydroponic farms in Brunei are built indoors or in greenhouses, which comes with labor attention. Farm produce requires much attention from workers, especially during the harvesting season. Cultivars’ products have high labor requirements when harvesting, grading, and packaging. The condition in Aquaponic farms may not be quite favorable to workers as well as plants; hence cooling systems are designed with advanced technology to keep temperatures conducive. High heat under these systems not only do they lower crop quality but affects worker productivity.
Consumer
The main consumers of aquaponics in Brunei are foreign workers, families, relatives, and neighbors. Based on the interview response, small scale farmers like BIT do not supply products but instead, have them consumed by local people or foreign workers. Workers also take farm produce to their families for consumption because it does not cater to a large population. With that, it means that aquaponic product awareness is low, which is no exception in other countries. In Malaysia, for instance, aquaponic products are considered a new category of farm produce- a combination of aquaculture and hydroponic. Integrating behavioral theory in this case help understand consumer acceptance of new products. Intentions to buy aquaponic products are used by studies to help understand the reception of people in different countries. Dimensions of attitude, subjective norm, behavioral control, and trust are studied. Findings show that relative advantage, perceived knowledge, and compatibility are among the factors that have the purchase intentions of aquaponic products. High intentions among buyers to purchase aquaponic items significantly affect the local aquaculture industry.
Types of Produce
Types of aquaponic farm produce include fish, herbs, fruits, and vegetables. In aquaponic systems, plants and fish are cultivated together. Based on types of products, Brunei’s aquaponics market is segmented into fruits, herbs, vegetables, or fish. Tilapia fish is common due to its attribute of survival in freshwater. In Brunei, the overall production of fish and vegetables appears promising and profitable. The break-even cost of fish and vegetables can be lower if the production cost is reduced and when there is a proper selection of crops. A number of studies had pointed that when tilapia, lettuce, or herbs like basil were grown in the aquaponic system, only lettuce appeared profitable, but tilapia was not. However, the production of tilapia fish combined with vegetables resulted in net profit. Based on interview feedback in Brunei’s aquaponic systems, the farmer informed that they grow several vegetables because of tropical weather. Some plants are more sensitive to the surrounding climate, which becomes difficult to grow crops in temperate zones. Examples of vegetables in one aquaponic system ins Brunei include spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, mint, basil, and mustard green. While numerous farm products can be grown in aquaponic systems, some can be difficult to grow, like butterhead lettuce, watercress, and star gooseberry. The challenge of achieving good results for such products is due to weather conditions. Some plants require moderate humid environments for growth, and achieving the requirements might not be easy. Tilapia, catfish, and silver barb are the best fish known in Brunei that partner well in the aquaponics system. Red tilapia is readily available in freshwaters like rivers; also, it is handy and adapts well.
Geographical Element/ Distribution
Compared to other countries, the aquaponic system is not extensively distributed in Brunei. Programs are practiced locally with produce consumed by local people. Most systems are small scale aquaponic projects with new farmers joining the programs. As aforementioned, scarcity of land and capital are significant issues limiting people to join in the business. BIT interview participant points out that land plays an essential role. Unlike in Brunei, other regions like city-state are recognized in food affordability and availability despite heavy reliance on food imports. Because of its location, the city-state is considered a regional exporter of aquaponic products. Despite having similar aquaponic produce, countries like the US, Canada, and China distribute on a large scale than Brunei. The penetration of aquaponic in developing nations seems to take time; however, this system is complex and requires prior knowledge. In Australia, aquaponics systems are more distributed than in Brunei, and they are becoming widely expanding in America. According to studies, in spite of hydroponics being well suited in middle east states, very few known aquaponic systems exist in the region.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this paper has identified that aquaponic, due to its integrative nature and numerous applications, is a typical food production innovation. The programs are adopted as means to address food security issues and have proved effective in areas where natural resources are limited in supply. In Brunei Darussalam, developing aquaponic projects is the most effective and productive exercise for local farmers to enjoy its benefits. Despite the associated challenges like start-up costs for technology, this program is a dignified activity to earn income and sustain a living.