Cost‒Benefit Analysis of Aquaponic and Hydroponic Systems in Barley Production: A Sustainable Agriculture Approach

The primary objective of this study was to perform a comprehensive cost‒benefit analysis of barley production within both aquaponic and hydroponic systems. This research undertakes a detailed cost‒benefit evaluation comparing aquaponic and hydroponic methods for barley cultivation, with a focus on their economic viability and sustainability. A local variety of barley was selected to analyze the production outcomes and operational costs associated with each cultivation technique. The key metrics evaluated included tray net weight, dry matter percentage, and crude protein yield, which were measured on the 7th and 14th days posts eeding. The results indicated that by the 14th day of cultivation, the aquaponic system presented the highest net weight of the trays (11.80 kilograms), whereas the hydroponic system without nutritive solution yielded a net weight of 9.27 kilograms, and the nutrient solution resulted in a net weight of 9.58 kilograms. The dry matter percentage was 17% for the aquaponic system and 14% for both hydroponic treatments. The total crude protein output per tray was significantly greater in the aquaponic system, reaching 387.44 grams, whereas the barley hydroponic system with nutrient mixture produced 332.15 grams, and the hydroponic system without nutritive mixture yielded 227.18 grams at the 14-day mark. Notably, substantial profits were observed, with the aquaponic system generating the highest net revenue. These findings underscore the economic advantages of aquaponics by effectively integrating fish cultivation with plant production, establishing it as a viable method for enhancing food security and sustainability, particularly in resource-constrained settings.