The Circle, the vertical greenhouses fed also thanks to the water of the goldfish

In the field of aquaponics they are the largest in Europe, despite their vertical greenhouses on the outskirts of Rome occupying “just” half a hectare, or five thousand square metres. But the peculiarity of salad and vegetable production system Of The Circle it’s about being able to do a lot in a small space and using a fraction of the resources of traditional agriculture. “10% water and one-fifth soil, to be exact,” he explains Thomas Marino, born in 1992, raised in the capital and with a degree in political science behind him. Six years ago he founded the company, now valued at over ten million euros, together with Valerio Bowl, Simone Cofini And Lorenzo Garreffa. They too were born in 1992, but they graduated in industrial biotechnology with specializations in microalgae and new sources of energy supply.

“Here at Rome since September we have reached the maximum capacity with 450,000 plants in cultivation destined for 250 restaurants and hotels”, continues Marino. “We have a new development plan which will add one hectare in Rome and one in Milan, reaching a total of two and a half hectares”.

In the greenhouses, with vertical rows made of white pipes, arugula, mustard, savory, chives, red basil, thyme, chard and another thirty salad or seasoning plants grow in a continuous cycle. But the most unique element are the underground tanks full of goldfish in the center. The ammonia and excrement of freshwater farmed fish are transformed into nitrites and nitrates for use in cultivation. In fact it is the union ofaquacultureL’fish farmingWith the’hydroponicsor the cultivation of vegetables out of the ground.

From the lakes of low intensity pumps they collect the water which is transported in large wooden tubs filled with expanded clay, where the bacteria that perform the function of filter live. At that point the water, purified from ammonia but with nutrients, is collected in underground barrels where other elements based on microalgae to make the water suitable for the growth and maintenance of the plants in the vertical rows. It is distributed thanks to gods sensors at regular intervals and the excess liquid is collected and recirculated. Hence the very name of the company: The Circle.

In its contemporary version, beyond the historical examples in South America and China around the thirteenth century, theaquaponics it is a system that was put into practice in an experimental form in 1979 in the United States by James Rakocy at the University of the Virgin Islands. Only recently, however, has it begun to spread and conquer a new generation of entrepreneurs such as Thomas Marino and his associates. Who have added as a further element the use of energy produced from renewable sources. The problem is that starting such a business requires knowledge and capital. A piece of land is not enough as in traditional agriculture.

“Sure, the start-up cost is greater”, admits Thomas Marino. “Nevertheless, it is a system that gives advantages in terms of competitiveness and reduction of consumption, such that it is worthwhile in the long run. We are refining the processes to make starting aquaponic crops easier and cheaper. The change of mindset however, it is still necessary regardless of the chosen technique: traditional agriculture is no longer sustainable, takes up too much land and absorbs too much water. We cannot take food production for granted as we have done to date, nor the availability of land. Also because in Italy we are heading towards chronic drought and desertification due to the climate crisis”.

Agriculture

Producing energy and apples at the same time, the bet in South Tyrol

by Luca Fraioli

30 January 2023

Aquaponics is one of the possible methods for soilless growing and for now it works well with lettuce and tomatoes. Fruit trees currently seem out of reach. But already limit yourself to salads, herbs, berries And tomatoes can make a difference and could lead some countries to thefood self-sufficiency.

In the meantime, we continue to research and experiment. There are those who are growing vines in hydroponics and even strawberries are produced in the United States, but sold at stellar prices. The Circle is competitive in terms of prices, but the four founders are keen to underline that change is needed on this front too. “If you’re willing to spend 1,200 euros on an iPhone, why refuse to pay two euros per kilo of sustainably grown courgettes?” they ask. According to them i tomatoes at eighty cents a kilo it is a price made possible by the exploitation of the land and people and we can no longer afford such a system. In short, the new agriculture also involves prices that cannot be bargained for.