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Research and development of an aquaponic system appropriate for use in the West Bank

Since we arrived in the West Bank in July 2010 we have been working in partnership with Bustan Qaraaqa, a permaculture project in a quiet valley in Beit Sahour, just outside Bethlehem. Bustan Qaraaqa serves as an educational centre and a testing ground for novel and innovative sustainable living techniques, from rainwater catchment to constructing cathedrals to consumerism – buildings made entirely of rubbish (and probably some goat manure). It was an obvious choice, therefore, to trial an aquaponic system here. In fact, Bustan Qaraaqa can boast the FIRST EVER aquaponic system constructed behind the Wall!

The beauty of working in such an experimental site as Bustan Qaraaqa is that we have been able to explore lots of different construction and operation methods, and make lots of discoveries (some may say mistakes) along the way. This has enabled us to develop an aquaponic system that works well, and is appropriate for, the West Bank. We have developed a system which:

• • Uses cheap, locally available materials – mainly re-claimed or re-cycled
• • Works with the extremely high alkalinity and high pH of the groundwater in the West Bank
• • Grows plants which thrive in the local conditions, and are already part of the local diet
• • Enables production of plants with high water requirements even during the driest times of the year
• • Offers the opportunity to grow “exotic” plant species that are not consumed locally at present, such as basil, lemongrass and butternut squash