This abstract provides a technical overview of the developmental benefits associated with the adoption of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) for cultivating high-value aquatic species in India. Traditional aquaculture practices in India, primarily reliant on open-pond or cage culture, face increasing constraints from water scarcity, land availability, environmental degradation, and vulnerability to exogenous pathogens and climatic fluctuations. RAS technology offers a robust solution by enabling intensive, bio-secure, and resource-efficient aquaculture.
RAS operates as a closed-loop system, fundamentally relying on advanced water treatment processes including mechanical filtration for solids removal, biological filtration (nitrification) for ammonia and nitrite conversion, degassing for CO2 stripping, and oxygenation. This intricate environmental control permits significantly higher stocking densities and optimized growth rates for high-value species, transcending geographical and climatic limitations. Water reuse rates of 90-99% dramatically reduce freshwater consumption, mitigating the agricultural sector’s hydrological footprint and fostering water-use efficiency in water-stressed regions of India.
From a developmental perspective, RAS directly contributes to enhanced food security through consistent, year-round production of high-quality protein. Its land-independent nature allows for peri-urban establishment, minimizing logistics costs and ensuring fresh product availability for burgeoning urban markets. Economically, the cultivation of high-value species in RAS yields superior profitability and return on investment (ROI) due to reduced feed conversion ratios (FCRs) under controlled conditions, lower disease incidence, and premium market pricing. The controlled environment also facilitates genetic selection and improved biosecurity, minimizing crop losses. Furthermore, RAS creates skilled employment opportunities in aquaculture engineering, water chemistry, fish health management, and system operation, contributing to rural and semi-urban socio-economic upliftment. The potential for precision farming in RAS also aligns with India’s digital agriculture initiatives.