Nesar Ahmed

Can integrated aquaculture-agriculture (IAA) produce “more crop per drop”?

The global demand for food production will increase because of rapid population growth and increased competition for land and water. The ever-increasing demand for water in agriculture is one of the key limiting factors for food production. Thus, producing more food for each drop of water is vital to addressing water scarcity and food insecurity. This article provides an overview of integrated aquaculture-agriculture (IAA) that has great potential to increase food productivity and reduce risks associated with water scarcity. The practice of pond-based IAA and rice-fish farming is recognized as an efficient use of water, which increases water productivity and food security. IAA also provides a wide range of social, economic, and environmental benefits. It is, therefore, recognized that IAA produces “more crop per drop”. We suggest that the wider adoption of IAA with efficient use of blue and green water would increase global water productivity and food security.

Opportunities and challenges for the development of prawn farming with fish and rice in southeast Bangladesh: potential for food security and economic growth

Although prawn farming in rice fields is concentrated in the southwest of Bangladesh, the southeast region has been identified as a promising area for prawn culture, owing to favorable resources and agro-climatic conditions. To date, however, relatively few farmers in this area have adopted prawn culture. We examined the opportunities and constraints for the development of prawn farming with fish and rice in southeast Bangladesh. The prospects for prawn-carp polyculture and integrated prawn-fish-rice farming in southeast Bangladesh are positive but require institutional and organizational support, and technical assistance. We conclude that the sustainable development of prawn farming with fish and rice in southeast Bangladesh has considerable potential for increasing incomes and improving the food security of farming households, and more broadly the economic growth of the country through earnings from the export of prawns.

Integrated mangrove-shrimp cultivation: Potential for blue carbon sequestration

Globally, shrimp farming has had devastating effects on mangrove forests. However, mangroves are the most carbon-rich forests, with blue carbon (i.e., carbon in coastal and marine ecosystems) emissions seriously augmented due to devastating effects on mangrove forests. Nevertheless, integrated mangrove-shrimp cultivation has emerged as a part of the potential solution to blue carbon emissions. Integrated mangrove-shrimp farming is also known as organic aquaculture if deforested mangrove area does not exceed 50% of the total farm area. Mangrove destruction is not permitted in organic aquaculture and the former mangrove area in parts of the shrimp farm shall be reforested to at least 50% during a period of maximum 5xa0years according to Naturland organic aquaculture standards. This article reviews integrated mangrove-shrimp cultivation that can help to sequester blue carbon through mangrove restoration, which can be an option for climate change mitigation. However, the adoption of integrated mangrove-shrimp cultivation could face several challenges that need to be addressed in order to realize substantial benefits from blue carbon sequestration.

The blue dimensions of aquaculture: A global synthesis

The rapid development of aquaculture has been considered the blue revolution, which is an approach to increasing global fish production in order to contribute to human nutrition and food security. The use of blue water (i.e., surface and groundwater) in aquaculture also makes a significant contribution to global fish production. However, the blue revolution of aquaculture is associated with a wide range of environmental concerns, including habitat destruction, water pollution, eutrophication, biotic depletion, ecological effects, and disease outbreaks. In addition, blue carbon (i.e., carbon in coastal and marine ecosystems) emissions from mangrove deforestation due to shrimp cultivation are accumulating. To increase fish production for a growing global population, aquaculture must grow sustainably while at the same time its environmental impacts must reduce significantly. There is blue growth potential for increasing seafood production through the expansion of coastal and marine aquaculture, which is essential for sustainable development of the blue economy.

Blue-Green Water Nexus in Aquaculture for Resilience to Climate Change

ABSTRACT In order to meet the demand for food from a growing global population, aquaculture production must be increased as capture fisheries have stagnated. Rapid population growth with competition for land and water could affect aquaculture production. Although aquaculture uses non-consumptive water, there are significant water footprints for aquaculture due to water lost and water required for fish-feed production. Moreover, climate change affects water availability and demand for aquaculture, and poses a further threat to global fish production. Nevertheless, the efficient use of blue water (surface and groundwater) and green water (rain) in inland, coastal, and marine aquaculture could make a significant contribution to global fish production and climate change adaptation. Sustainable intensification of freshwater aquaculture, mangrove restoration with brackish water fish production, and the expansion of mariculture could increase global fish production with adaptation to climate change. Institutional support with technical and financial assistance is needed to implement the proposed adaptation strategies.