Page 39 - Aquauclature Research and Studies (01)

AQUAUCLATURE
Research and Studies 1 (1): 15-01, 2026 page of 193
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• Long-Term (one year +): Target 30% adoption of IMTA systems in key
regions like Egypt and Algeria, and achieve a 15% reduction in agricul-
tural sector CO₂ emissions.
6. Conclusion
The HortiMED project unequivocally demonstrates that IMTA-aquapon-
ics enhanced with DSS and solar power can reconcile high agricultural
productivity with environmental stewardship. This technology presents a vi-
able, long-term solution to enhance water and nutrient efficiency, boost food
security, and empower farmers in the Mediterranean and other water-scarce
regions. To unlock its full potential, policymakers must act decisively to ad-
dress financial barriers, build local expertise, create enabling market condi-
tions, and foster regional cooperation. By prioritizing these measures, Medi-
terranean nations can position themselves as global leaders in climate-smart
agriculture.
The IMTA-aquaponic system with DSS offers a long-term solution to
Egypt's aquaculture challenges. By leveraging solar energy, artificial intelli-
gence, and a modular design for simple of implementation, HortiMED can
achieve rapid adoption among farmers and agribusinesses, aligning with na-
tional sustainability goals. To improve aquaculture sustainability, govern-
ments and industry players should favor IMTA-aquaponics over traditional
soil-based culture (TSC) in terms of energy efficiency, water conservation,
and waste reduction while still producing good yields. The HortiMED DSS,
which was created with PRIMA support, uses artificial intelligence to assist
farmers in making real-time, data-driven decisions. By combining these steps,
Mediterranean and water-scarce regions can boost food security, cut waste,
and empower farmers sustainably. IMTA-aquaponic system with DSS
demonstrates how sustainable greenhouse technology can reconcile produc-
tion and environmental responsibility. HortiMED supports Egypt's sustaina-
bility goals by providing a scalable approach for water-scarce locations.

7. Acknowledgements
This review is synthesized from the policy recommendation documents
"Policy Recommendation_Greenhouses_1_V2" and "Policy