Towards the Integrated Agri-aquaculture in the Desert Using Groundwater Reservoirs for Nile Tilapia Farming "Evaluating Study in Upper Egypt"

The present study was carried out to evaluate the integrated fish farm using groundwater reservoirs in the desert of upper Egypt to spotlight the importance of aquaculture and its radical efficacy on the national income. The study was conducted on a private farm in Qena valley in the governorate of Qena, Egypt. The water reservoir as a fish pond (30*40*3m) was provided by a water source from the well enhanced with an underground machine. The suitability of water conditions for fish farming, particularly for tilapia, was checked. The fish pond was supported with 25,000 fry mono sex Nile tilapia fed on fish diets of 30- 25% protein. The second category (two plant crops of squash and tomato) was treated with the water of the fish pond that contains, conceivably, natural fertilizers. An experiment was organized to compare the results of using chemical fertilizers, natural fertlizers and zero fertilizers. The water quality, growth performance, hematology and biochemistry of fishes were in normal ranges during the experiment with a satisfying growth rate to marketable size.  Moreover, compared to the regional water, the use of fish pond water succeeded to increase the production of crops in both with/ without fertilizers. The increase of the production of the crops of squash and tomato reached  24.4 and 30.52% , respectively at group A, while both crops increased by 58.83 and 59.83%, respectively at group B. The present work aimed to introduce the advantages of the integrated aqua- agriculture system in the desert of Egypt to guarantee fish and plant products, with the good utilization of water resources, with high quality and quantity, in addition to the reduction of fertilizers’ cost. Thus, it is recommended to draw attention towards the desert of Egypt, enhance the aquaculture awareness in Upper Egypt to create new fields of industries, and ensure new job opportunities for young people in those areas.