Aquaponic Farm

German produce company Frisch vom Dach – meaning Fresh from the Roof – is constructing an aquaponic farm on the roof of an old malt factory in Berlin.

The aquaponic roof farm operates a closed-loop system that will farm fish and grow vegetables to provide food for the city. The symbiotic system works by using fish waste to fertilise the plants, which in turn purify the water in the fish tanks. The team has already had success with a small-scale prototype, rearing fish and growing hydroponic beds of lettuce and tomatoes in a reclaimed shipping container.

Nicolas B Leschke, head of investment and construction at Frisch vom Dach, says: “Resources are scarce, so we have to start looking for creative ways – such as the aquaponic farm – to get around the fact that resources are running out.”

The company aims to have the first harvest ready by 2013.

Have a look at Home Grown for more interesting green-fingered initiatives.

Frisch vom Dach