Innovative technology enables fish farming in arid regions

Despite high temperatures and limited water resources, arid regions show promise for aquaculture. New innovative technologies like aquaponics and closed recirculation systems now enable fish farming in these challenging environments. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is at the forefront of supporting countries in the Near East and North Africa to harness these technologies, providing technical assistance, environmental and socio-economic assessments, and institutional capacity building. In the United Arab Emirates, FAO has facilitated the adoption of high-tech solutions for desert fish farming by advising on closed recirculating systems and energy use including the integration of solar power, to further contribute to the sector's sustainability. Production increased from 790 to 3 525 tonnes between 2015 and 2022. In Morocco, the aquaculture sector is still limited. FAO has developed a comprehensive plan to support the sustainable growth of fish farming and create new livelihoods for rural communities. FAO's initiatives include training government staff, fostering public-private partnerships, and supporting aquaculture cooperatives.