Exploring the Potential of Aquaponics in Addressing Food Security and Future Food Demand in Sweden : a Systematic Literature Review

Sammanfattning

Global food production should be increased by more than 70% to fulfill the food demand in 2050, which is a challenge in prevailing conventional agricultural practices, with limiting resources like land, water, and climatic conditions. Soil degradation, water pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and biodiversity loss are environmental impacts that have increased in the past few decades due to conventional farming. In Sweden, 87% of residents live in urban areas, and the domestic food production is not enough for the country’s food demand. Therefore, Sweden require sustainable food production systems that can reduce the impacts on the environment and enhance food security. Aquaponics is an innovative, productive agricultural technique integrating fish (aquaculture) with crops (hydroponics- the technique of growing plants without soil) that has garnered global attention for its potential to address food security challenges. Thus this study focused on the viability of aquaponics in addressing food security in Sweden. A systematic literature review was carried out to examine the possibility of aquaponics for addressing food security, its impacts on productivity, energy efficiency, and impacts on the environment, and disadvantages of the system. Based on 32 articles, the results highlight how aquaponics contributes to the availability, access, utilization, stability, agency, and sustainability pillars of food security, providing a holistic solution to food insecurity. Furthermore, through examining the case of Sweden, showing its import-dependent economy, consumption patterns, and how aquaponics could improve local food production. Despite some challenges such as initial investment costs and regulatory barriers to organic products, this innovative, efficient, environmentally friendly, and resilient technique demonstrates the pathway toward a future where nutritious and fresh food is accessible to all, both in Sweden and across the globe, while achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.