Open-access Economic viability of juveniles tilapia and arugula production integrated in aquaponics in system NFT

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of implementing an aquaponic system using different stocking densities of tilapia juveniles integrated with arugula production in a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system. To gather data for the economic analysis, an experiment was conducted using a completely randomized 3 x 2 factorial design (densities: 20, 40, and 60 fish/m³; filter media volumes: 50 and 70 liters of expanded clay), with three replications. Each experimental unit consisted of an NFT aquaponic module. The economic analysis included calculations of net present value, internal rate of return, profitability index, and payback period. Results showed that fish stocking density significantly affects the economic viability of an aquaponic system integrating tilapia juveniles and arugula production. The price of arugula increased with higher fish stocking densities, while the price of fish remained unaffected. Stocking densities of 40 and 60 fish/m³ were found to be economically feasible, exhibiting similar internal rates of return, both higher than those observed at a density of 20 fish/m³, which was not economically viable.

Key words
Agribusiness; Production systems; Sustainability; Financial indicators

INTRODUCTION

Population growth results in an increased demand for food, which in turn poses challenges in producing both quantity and quality in accordance with market demands (Friede 2020). Linked to this demand is the need to develop technologies that optimize the utilization of economic, environmental, and social resources (Rodrigues et al. 2019).

Among sustainable food production methods, aquaponics stands out as an integrated production system involving the cultivation of aquatic organisms and vegetables, which can be implemented on both small and large scales in rural or urban settings. In this system, water use is reduced by about 90% compared to conventional systems, allowing for the recycling of fish waste and dissolved compounds, which are converted into nutrients for the plants through biological filtration (Corrêa et al. 2018). Planning fish and plant densities, biomass, and cultivation phases, as well as the management practices employed, is crucial to achieving success in aquaponic production (Oliveira et al. 2022a).

Several studies have evaluated the integration of fish and vegetables in aquaponic systems, with zootechnical and agronomic indicators equal to or better than those in traditional systems (Santos et al. 2021, Magalhães et al. 2022, Oliveira et al. 2022b). Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is among the most economically important aquatic species for cultivation worldwide and can also be used in polyculture and other production systems (Pereira et al. 2021, Sarturi et al. 2021). Arugula is a widely consumed vegetable in Latin America and Mediterranean regions due to its nutritional characteristics and can also be intercropped with other species (Carvalho et al. 2018). Studies assessing the economic viability of aquaponic systems are scarce in the scientific literature, making this information academically relevant and important for the production sector.

Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the economic feasibility of implementing an aquaponic system using different stocking densities of juvenile tilapia, integrated with arugula cultivation in a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Characterization of the Aquaponic System

The experiment was conducted at the Federal Institute of Goiás in Rio Verde, GO, Brazil (17° 48’ 21.4”S and 50° 54’ 17.6”W). The project was approved by the Ethics Committee for Animal Use in Research at IF Goiano (protocol number 5439231019). The experimental period lasted for 42 days, from September to November 2020. The arugula production cycle also spanned 42 days, with five days in the greenhouse, seven in the nursery, and 30 in the aquaponic system. In the nursery, the arugula received a nutrient solution formulated according to species-specific recommendations, and it should be noted that the nursery operated independently of the aquaponic system.

To colonize the biological filter, 40 tilapia were stocked 30 days prior, with the biofilters filled with 60 liters of expanded clay. On the day the plants were introduced into the aquaponic system, both the fish and the expanded clay were adjusted to the experimental setup to initiate the experiment.

The experimental design was completely randomized (CRD) in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement with three replications, with stocking density and filter volume as the factors, totaling 18 experimental units (Figure 1). The evaluated stocking densities were 20, 40, and 60 juvenile tilapia/m³, with filter volumes of 50 and 70 liters of expanded clay. Each experimental unit consisted of an aquaponic module based on the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT). The system included a 1,000-liter fish cultivation tank, a 200-liter settling tank, a 200-liter biofilter, six hydroponic troughs (each containing nine plants spaced 20 cm apart), a radial air compressor (1.10 hp – flow rate 2.0 m³/min), and a Sarlo Better 2700 motor pump.Commercial omnivorous fish feed, 4 to 6 mm in size with 36% crude protein (CP), was used. The fish were fed three times daily at the following times: 8 AM, 2 PM, and 5 PM, at a daily rate of 2% of the biomass weight. At the end of the experimental period, the fish were weighed to obtain the final weight and weight gain.

Figure 1
Distribution of experimental components: biofilter, settling tank, water tank (with different densities of tilapia juveniles), and hydroponic troughs (with arugula cultivation).

A commercial feed for omnivorous fish, 4 to 6 mm in size and containing 36% crude protein (CP), was used. The fish were fed three times a day at 8 AM, 2 PM, and 5 PM, at 2% of their biomass per day. At the end of the experimental period, the fish were weighed to determine their final weight and weight gain.

Dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH were monitored daily using a multiparameter probe 30 minutes after the completion of the first feeding. Ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate were measured twice a week; alkalinity and hardness once a week using a colorimetric kit. Water sampling for analysis was performed before cleaning the units to ensure the actual concentrations of the compounds. The treatments used were:

1 – 20 tilapia juveniles and 50 liters of expanded clay;

2 – 20 tilapia juveniles and 70 liters of expanded clay;

3 – 40 tilapia juveniles and 50 liters of expanded clay;

4 – 40 tilapia juveniles and 70 liters of expanded clay;

5 – 60 tilapia juveniles and 50 liters of expanded clay;

6 – 60 tilapia juveniles and 70 liters of expanded clay.

Economic viability

Economic viability was assessed using financial indicators: net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), profitability index (PI), and payback period. We obtained input and service expenses by averaging ten price quotations from construction supply stores and other suppliers in the municipality of Rio Verde, GO. This approach enabled us to evaluate the cost composition (revenues and inputs) required for system implementation. We projected expenses using a cash flow analysis over a five-year period. We calculated the economic viability indicators as follows (Soldera & Kuhn 2018):

Net Present Value

NPV=i=0nFCFt(1+r)t

Source: Adapted from Pereira et al. (2007).

Where:

NPV = Algebraic sum of all net values discounted to the present time, or net present value of the project at time 0;

FC​​​​F​t​​​​​​ = Free cash flow for each period t, resulting from cash inflows minus cash outflows;

t = Project period (in years);

r = Discount rate (interest) used for discounting the cash flow;

n = Total number of periods in the project, or project horizon.

Internal Rate of Return

The internal rate of return (IRR) is the rate at which the net present value (NPV) equals zero, indicating the project’s maximum return. The project is considered financially viable when the IRR exceeds the minimum attractive rate, which in this study was set at an annual discount rate of 15%, and when the NPV is greater than zero.

i = 0 n F C F t ( 1 + r ) t = 0

Source: Adapted from Pereira et al. (2007).

Where:

FC​​​​F​t​​​​​​ = Free cash flow for each period t, resulting from cash inflows minus cash outflows;

t = Time period of each free cash flow, in years;

n = Total number of periods in the project;

r = Internal Rate of Return (IRR), the rate that makes the NPV equal to zero.

The modified internal rate of return was also calculated by considering the cost of capital and the reinvestment interest of the cash flow.

Minimum Attractive Rate

The calculations were based on the minimum return determined for one year of production, meaning that treatments achieving the minimum annual rate of return (MAR) represented the least attractive option for project initiation. The established minimum rate was 15% per year.

Profitability Index

Source: Adapted from Olescowicz et al. (2023).

PI=t=1nFCFt(1+r)tI0

Where:

I0 = Initial investment;

r = Discount rate (interest) used to discount the cash flow;

FCFt = Free cash flow of the project in each period t;

t = Period t in each year of the project (from 1 to n);

r = Discount rate (interest) or internal rate of return that makes NPV equal to zero;

n = Total number of periods, or project horizon.

Payback

The calculations were based on a simulation of the first five years, indicating the time required for the system to generate a return on investment. We calculated both simple payback, which does not account for the time value of money over the five years, and the discounted payback period (DPP), which considers the present value of investment amounts in relation to the cash flow for each year.

DPP=Time (n) it takes for i=1nFCFt(1+r)tI0

Source: Adapted from Fasoro et al. (2019).

Where:

DPP = Discounted payback period;

n = Number of periods required for the cumulative discounted cash flows to equal or exceed the initial investment;

t = period t, in each year of the project;

FCFt = Free cash flow expected from cash inflow (net operating cash flows), in each time t;

Io = Initial investment (at time t = 0);

r = Discount rate (interest) considered for discounting the cash flow.

Revenue

We evaluated both the annual revenue per species and the total annual revenue. For the annual revenue per species, we assessed the yield of fish and arugula for each treatment separately by multiplying the average individual price by the quantity available in each unit. The total annual revenue was calculated by summing the revenue from fish and arugula for each treatment.

Revenue represents the cash flow generated from the sale of produced goods. The greater the company’s revenue, the larger the surplus after deducting incurred costs; in other words, higher revenue leads to increased profit.

Materials and Costs

The installation of the aquaponic system requires the use of materials and equipment responsible for structuring the electrical, hydraulic, filtration, and building components. The materials used in the system are listed in Table I.

Table I
Fixed cost per cultivation system and nursery.

In addition to the materials that make up the structure and the cost of implementing the system, production incurred costs that varied according to the treatment: feed consumed, quantity of fish, quantity of nutrient solution, seeds, water analysis cost, cost of using aerators, phenolic foam, and energy consumption (Table II).

Table II
Variable cost (R$) according to treatments.

The aeration system incurred specific costs necessary for the assembly and efficient distribution of oxygenation in the system (Table III).

Table III
Cost (R$) of assembling the aeration system.

Economic Feasibility Analysis

After reviewing the cash flow, we conducted an economic analysis of the aquaponic system using Microsoft Excel. Only the data collected during the aquaponics production period were considered.

Table IV Results of investment evaluation considering annual production (AP), unit prices (UP), annual revenue per species (ARPS), total annual revenue (TAR), annual cost (AC), operating cash flow (OCF), total investment (TI), working capital (WC), disinvestment (Dis), total net present value (TNPV), annual net present value (ANPV), internal rate of return (IRR), modified internal rate of return (MIRR), and profitability index (PI).
Items 1 2 3 4 5 6
fish aru* fish aru* Fish aru* fish aru* fish aru* fish aru*
AP (Un.) 240 720 240 720 480 720 480 720 720 720 720 720
UP (R$) 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 3
ARPS(R$) 480. 1440 480 1440 960 2160 960 2160 1440 2160 1440 2160
TAR(R$) 1920.00 1920.00 3120.00 3120.00 3600.00 3600.00
AC (R$) 905.71 905.70 1337.07 1337.08 1768.45 1768.45
OCF(R$) 1014.29 1014.29 1782.92 1782.92 1831.55 1831.55
TI (R$) 1785.16 1805.16 1852.59 1872.59 1920.02 1940.02
WC (R$) 75.48 75.48 111.42 111.42 147.37 147.37
Dis (R$) 178.52 180.52 185.26 187.26 192.00 194.00
TNPV (R$) 1737.43 1718.42 4266.01 4247.00 4381.04 4362.03
ANPV (R$) 518.3 512.63 1272.62 1266.95 1306.93 1301.26
IRR (%) 50.32% 49.60% 93.20% 92.11% 92.36% 91.33%
MIRR (%) 30.24% 29.96% 44.35% 44.05% 44.17% 43.88%
PI (R$) 0.97 0.95 2.30 2.27 2.28 2.25
  • *aru: arugula.
  • RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

    Table V presents the economic feasibility metrics, including unit prices, annual revenue, total annual revenue, annual costs, operating cash flow, total investment, working capital, disinvestment, total net present value, net present value, internal rate of return, modified internal rate of return, and profitability index.

    Table V
    Annual and cumulative cash flow (payback) of treatments over 5 years of production. Values in parentheses were negative.

    The annual fish production did not vary among treatments with the same stocking density. Similarly, annual arugula production remained consistent across treatments, as the same quantity was cultivated and there were no losses due to mortality. In their evaluation of the polyculture of bullfrog tadpoles and Nile tilapia fingerlings, Sarturi et al. (2021) reported no mortality for either species at the given stocking densities. This satisfactory outcome was achieved by closely observing the biological aspects of both species. This finding is significant, as Oliveira et al. (2017) discovered phenotypic heterogeneity of variances in live weight among Nile tilapia across three different regions while studying the interactive effects of genotype and environment.

    The selling price of fish at the end of the experiment did not vary among treatments, regardless of stocking density or biofilter volume. However, for arugula, a higher market value was observed for crops cultivated at higher fish stocking densities (40 and 60 fish/m³), which were 50% higher than the selling price of arugula grown at the lowest density (20 fish/m³). These results directly impacted the revenue from arugula, total annual revenue, and operating cash flow, with higher values for treatments involving greater stocking densities.

    It was observed that among the evaluated densities of juvenile tilapia (20, 40, and 60 fish/m³), changes in quantity resulted in a variation of R$ 67.43 in implementation costs, with a cost of R$ 3.37 per individual fish. Additionally, varying the volume of expanded clay (50 and 70 liters) led to a cost variation of R$ 20.00, resulting in a cost of R$ 1.00 per unit of arugula. Consequently, the increase in implementation costs was greater for treatments with higher fish densities and lower volumes of expanded clay. This trend was similar to that observed in disinvestment, which accounted for 10% of the total investment.

    Fish density and the volume of filter material significantly influenced the total investment cost, with higher densities and increased filter material leading to greater expenses. An analysis of the economic viability of the aquaponic system, which incorporated investments in technologies for automated water quality monitoring, indicated that while investment costs increased, profitability was still achieved. This outcome was made possible by a reduction in labor costs. These findings demonstrate that implementing productive strategies can effectively integrate technologies that optimize economic results (Zappernick et al. 2022).

    This result can be attributed to the increased use of aerators (a fixed cost), which in turn raises electricity costs, as well as the costs of feed and fingerlings (variable costs). The demand for resources necessary for implementing the enterprise directly impacts profitability. However, materials available on the property that meet the system’s quality and functionality requirements can often be repurposed or improvised (Dalazen et al. 2020).

    Working capital and annual costs were similar in treatments with the same fish stocking density, i.e., 1 and 2; 5 and 6; and 3 and 4. A difference of R$ 35.95 was observed in working capital between treatments that differed in stocking density, and for the annual cost, this value was R$ 431.37. The lower values of working capital and annual cost were found in treatments with lower stocking density, as they had lower variable costs for electricity, feed, and fingerlings. In a study with a low-tech aquaponic system, better results in terms of sustainability, productivity, and profitability were achieved despite higher variable costs (Bordignon et al. 2022).

    In terms of net present value (NPV) and annualized NPV, treatments with the same stocking density but different amounts of expanded clay showed that those with 50 liters had a higher NPV, resulting in a difference of R$ 19.01 in total NPV and R$ 5.67 in annualized NPV. When comparing results across different stocking densities, treatments with higher fish densities yielded similar results, approximately 2.5 times higher than those with lower densities. The annualized NPV values represented 29.8% of the total NPV values. For the project to be considered viable, the NPV must exceed zero; thus, based on the results obtained in this study, all treatments are deemed viable (Mellichamp 2019).

    The internal rate of return (IRR) and the modified internal rate of return (MIRR) were closely aligned among treatments with higher fish densities (40 and 60 fish/m³) and were numerically superior to the treatment with lower density. The treatments with higher densities achieved an IRR exceeding 90% and an MIRR of 44%, both of which were significantly higher than those observed in the lower-density treatments (IRR of 50% and MIRR of 30%). Higher IRR and MIRR values indicate greater profitability, suggesting that treatments with higher stocking densities offer greater economic viability (Babatunde et al. 2022).

    The profitability index for treatments with the same stocking density was similar across different amounts of expanded clay (50 and 70 liters). However, among treatments with varying densities, the index was significantly higher for those with greater stocking densities, showing values 2.3 to 2.4 times higher than those for lower densities. These results indicate that higher-density treatments are more economically viable. Specifically, in treatments with higher densities, the return on invested capital ranged from R$ 2.25 to R$ 2.30 for every R$ 1.00 invested, whereas in lower-density treatments, the return was only R$ 0.96.

    Table V presents the annual and cumulative cash flow (payback) values for the treatments over the next five years of production. The results indicate that all treatments achieve a return on invested capital by the second year of cultivation, along with a profit. Treatments with higher fish densities (40 and 60 fish/m³) have more than double the cumulative cash flow compared to treatments with lower densities (20 fish/m³) by the end of the five-year period. These findings align with previous research on tilapia production in masonry tanks within a water recirculation system, which demonstrated a return on invested capital starting in the second year of production and a profitability index of 45.84% (Santos-Filho et al. 2017).

    Figure 2 illustrates the simulation of the internal rate of return (IRR) based on the quantities of fish and arugula units available for sale, considering the sales prices established in this project. For treatments with a stocking density of 20 fish/m³, it is necessary to produce a minimum of 42 units of arugula and sell at least 80% of the fish to achieve an IRR greater than 0.15. If 48 plants are produced, selling at least 60% of the fish will suffice. For more than 46 plants, selling at least half of the stocked fish becomes essential.

    Figure 2
    Figure 2. Internal rate of return according to the quantity of fish and arugula sold.

    For treatments with a stocking density of 40 fish/m³, it is necessary to produce a minimum of 30 units of arugula and sell at least 80% of the fish in Treatment 3 and 90% in Treatment 4 to achieve an IRR greater than 0.15. If 36 units of arugula are produced, then at least 60% of the fish must also be sold in these treatments. When producing 42 units of arugula or more, selling at least 50% of the fish becomes necessary.

    For treatments with a stocking density of 60 fish/m³, achieving an IRR greater than 0.15 requires selling a minimum of 90% of the fish when arugula production reaches 30 units. If arugula production increases to 36 units, at least 70% of the fish must be sold; for 42 units of arugula, at least 60% of the fish needs to be sold. Once arugula production exceeds 48 units, selling at least 50% of the fish becomes necessary to maintain profitability above 0.15.

    When comparing the IRR of treatments with the same fish density but varying amounts of clay, only minimal variation was observed. In contrast, significant differences emerged among treatments that used the same quantity of expanded clay, particularly between Treatments 1, 3, and 5, and between Treatments 2, 4, and 6. Furthermore, a comparison of economic viability across three cultivation systems with the same stocking density revealed that aquaponics exhibited a higher IRR (Diatin et al. 2021). This suggests that, due to the high density utilized, the productive capacity of aquaponics plays a crucial role in influencing the IRR.

    If the production achieves an IRR of 0.15 or higher, as desired by the producer, a portion of the output can be utilized for profitable purposes. Based on the minimum selling price, the quantity of arugula harvested, and the amount of fish remaining, the products can be allocated for personal consumption, used to generate additional income, or reinvested into production. The estimated IRR will be determined by comparing it to the rate of return from alternative financial investments (Soldera & Kuhn 2018).

    Figure 3 presents simulations of the IRR based on the market values of fish and arugula, illustrating that a higher market value correlates with a higher IRR. For treatments with a stocking density of 20 fish/m³ (Treatments 1 and 2), the IRR values exceeded 0.15, indicating that the minimum selling prices must be R$ 0.60 for fish and R$ 2.00 for arugula. In treatments with a stocking density of 40 fish/m³ (Treatments 3 and 4), the sales prices required to achieve a minimum IRR of 0.15 are R$ 1.00 for fish and R$ 2.00 for arugula. For treatments with a stocking density of 60 fish/m³ (Treatments 5 and 6), the minimum selling prices should be R$ 1.20 for fish and R$ 2.00 for arugula to ensure that production meets the minimum IRR of 0.15.

    Figure 3
    Internal rate of return according to the fish selling price (FSP) and arugula selling price (ASP).

    The added value of a product is influenced by factors that promote consumption, including value perception, advertising, and quality of delivery. When combined with the dynamics of supply and demand, these elements help maintain or even increase product consumption (Chenavaz et al. 2020). Aquaponics, as a production system that enables greater control over production, can effectively attract and solidify the consumer market by emphasizing quality and fostering a more sustainable cultivation environment.

    Family productive activities necessitate a comprehensive implementation plan that identifies potential scenarios relevant to the sector. The development of technologies that equip professionals and producers with the necessary knowledge for project implementation enhances their confidence in making decisions related to the activity’s growth. These findings highlight that aquaponics is a viable cultivation system that promotes food security and can be effectively implemented in areas with limited space and water, catering to both rural and urban settings for small- and medium-sized producers.

    CONCLUSIONS

    This study concluded that fish stocking density significantly affects the economic viability of an aquaponic system that cultivates juvenile tilapia and arugula. The selling price of arugula is influenced by the fish stocking density, with higher prices observed for arugula grown at greater densities. In contrast, the selling price of fish remained unaffected by stocking density. Stocking densities of 40 and 60 fish/m³ demonstrated economic viability, exhibiting similar internal rate of return (IRR) values, whereas the density of 20 fish/m³ did not show economic viability.

    Acknowledgements

    This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – Brazil (CNPq), Instituto Federal Goiano (IFGoiano) and Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Goiás (FAPEG). The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

    • Data availability
      All data, materials, and methods used in this study are fully described and presented within the manuscript itself, as this is an economic feasibility analysis based exclusively on the primary and secondary data explicitly reported in the article. Therefore, there is no external database or additional repository, and reproduction and replication of the procedures are possible based on the information already provided in the text.

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    Edited by

    • Handling editor
      Igor Kaefer

    Data availability

    All data, materials, and methods used in this study are fully described and presented within the manuscript itself, as this is an economic feasibility analysis based exclusively on the primary and secondary data explicitly reported in the article. Therefore, there is no external database or additional repository, and reproduction and replication of the procedures are possible based on the information already provided in the text.

    Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      20 Mar 2026
    • Date of issue
      2026

    History

    • Received
      27 Oct 2023
    • Accepted
      13 July 2025
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