We started with Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation to save water on rice farms, but we realized we could do more with that saved water. What if we used it to raise fish too?
That’s where aquaponics comes in. It’s a closed-loop system where fish tanks and crop fields work together - the fish waste fertilizes the crops, and the crops help filter the water for the fish. In Isan where land is limited and farmers need multiple income sources, combining aquaponics with AWD irrigation can literally double a farmer’s income.
Farmers get paid for both rice (or sugarcane) and fish sales, while using 40% less water overall. Our sensors and NaLog software monitor everything to keep both the fish and crops healthy.
In our Yasothon pilots, farmers are seeing an extra 50,000 baht per rai from this approach. It’s not just about more money - it’s about sustainable food production that provides both rice and protein. Let me explain how the system works, the economics behind it, and how our technology makes it all possible.
How the Hybrid System Works
Aquaponics creates a natural cycle: water flows from fish tanks through filters to crop beds, then back to the tanks. We combine this with AWD irrigation, using the nutrient-rich fish water to irrigate rice or sugarcane fields without wasting water.
The key parts are:
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The fish side: We use tilapia, which grows quickly and is popular in Isan. The fish live in aerated tanks and eat crop waste as food.
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The crop side: Rice or sugarcane fields get watered with the nutrient-rich fish water using AWD cycles. This uses 20% less water overall since we’re recycling it.
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Keeping everything balanced: Our sensors monitor ammonia levels (fish waste becomes fertilizer), pH levels (kept between 6.5-7.5), and oxygen levels (must stay above 5mg/L). The AI system automatically adjusts water flows - for example, if oxygen gets too high, it diverts more water to the rice fields.
A typical 1-rai setup includes a 10 cubic meter fish tank (holding about 5,000 fish) and 0.8 rai of rice paddy. 95% of the water gets recirculated, and AWD prevents flooding during heavy rains.
In our Yasothon trials, using fish water reduced fertilizer costs for rice by 30%, and AWD prevented the fish tanks from overflowing during the rainy season.
We’re developing aquaponics solutions specifically tailored for cooperatives - you can learn more about them on our services page.
The Economics: Dual Income Streams
Relying on a single crop is risky - weather problems, market fluctuations, or pests can wipe out a farmer’s income. Aquaponics with AWD gives farmers two revenue streams from the same land.
Starting point: A typical rice farmer might harvest 6 tons per hectare (worth about 60,000 baht) and raise 2 tons of fish per rai (worth 40,000 baht), for a total of 100,000 baht per rai.
With smart management: AWD irrigation saves 20,000 baht in fuel costs, and the fish yield increases 15% thanks to the nutrient-rich water (bringing fish revenue to 80,000 baht). Total income hits 200,000 baht per rai - literally double.
Investment breakdown: Setting up costs about 100,000 baht per rai (for tanks and sensors), but farmers see their money back within one year. Ongoing costs are just 2,000 baht per rai through our irrigation as a service model.
Cooperative scale: A 50-rai cooperative could see a 10 million baht boost in total revenue. Plus, they can earn an extra 10,000 baht per rai from carbon credits for efficient water use.
Here’s the breakdown:
| Component | Traditional Farming | Aquaponics + AWD | Additional Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crop Revenue | 60k THB | 70k THB (better quality) | +10k THB |
| Fish Revenue | 0 THB | 80k THB | +80k THB |
| Water/Fertilizer Savings | 0 THB | 30k THB | +30k THB |
| Total per Rai | 60k THB | 180k THB | +120k THB |
One cooperative leader in Yasothon told us: “We get fish from the same water we save with AWD - no extra pumps needed. We sold 2 tons of tilapia and our kids are eating better now.”
The main challenge is keeping pH levels stable, but our NaLog system sends alerts so farmers can fix issues within hours. And this approach works for multiple crops, not just rice.
How KhawTech Makes It Work
Our technology stack is perfect for these hybrid systems:
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Monitoring everything: We use LoRa sensors in both the fish tanks and crop fields to track pH, dissolved oxygen, and moisture levels. Farmers need just 5 sensors per rai total.
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Smart AI decisions: Our edge AI system automatically balances the system - for example, “If dissolved oxygen in the fish tank drops below 4, reduce recirculation by 20% and send more water to the AWD fields.” It works completely offline.
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NaLog dashboard: Cooperative leaders get a clear view of fish growth curves, water quality trends, and revenue forecasts - all in one place.
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Easy setup: Our standard deployment playbook plus a simple aquaponics add-on means the whole system can be installed in about a week (with one extra week for the fish tanks).
In our Ubon Ratchathani pilot, a 20-rai hybrid system increased farmer income by 1.5 times. NaLog caught a nutrient imbalance early, preventing a potential fish loss.
Looking ahead, we’re working on integrating carbon credits for the low-emission fish farming aspect.
Building Resilient Farming for Isan
Aquaponics combined with AWD creates farming systems that are more resilient and profitable. Farmers get both food security and income from a single piece of land. Our technology makes this approach practical for smallholder farmers who can’t afford complex equipment.
Ready to Double Your Income?
If your cooperative is interested in starting a hybrid aquaponics pilot, email [email protected]. We’re helping build more sustainable food systems for Thailand.
Alberto Roura, KhawTech Founder. Combining fish and fields to help farmers grow more food and income with less water and land.