Merlin Farms in Sharjah is an aquaponics farm that provides educational benefits to school children. Aquaponics is a type of sustainable agriculture that combines aquaculture and hydroponics to create a self-sustaining system. By combining fish, plants, and bacteria in one system, aquaponics is able to produce healthy, pesticide-free food with minimal energy and water inputs.

Aquaponic education from Merlin Farms in Sharjah can provide school children with a unique and important educational experience. Aquaponics teaches children about the importance of sustainability and the need for environmental stewardship. By understanding the importance of creating a self-sustaining system, children are more likely to become advocates for environmental protection as they grow up.

In addition to environmental stewardship, aquaponic education from Merlin Farms in Sharjah can also teach children about the science behind food production. By understanding the different components of the aquaponic system, such as the fish, the plants, and the bacteria, children can gain a better understanding of the food production process. This knowledge can help them make healthier food choices in the future.

Finally, aquaponics from Merlin Farms in Sharjah can also provide school children with hands-on experience with food production. By working with the aquaponic system, children can gain a better understanding of how food is grown and harvested. This hands-on experience can help children develop a deeper appreciation for healthy food and the importance of sustainable agriculture.

Overall, aquaponic education from Merlin Farms in Sharjah provides school children with an important educational experience. Not only does it teach them about the importance of sustainability and environmental stewardship, but it also provides them with a hands-on experience with food production. With aquaponics, children can gain a deeper appreciation for healthy food and a better understanding of the food production process.

BACKGROUND 

Merlin Aquaponic Farms is a UAE based start-up that specializes in sustainable food production using aquaponics. The company has spent the past five years conducting extensive research and development to perfect their aquaponic system, which combines fish farming with hydroponic crop production to create a closed-loop system that maximizes efficiency and minimizes waste.

The aquaponic system used by Merlin Farms involves the cultivation of fish in a tank or pond, alongside the growth of crops in a hydroponic bed. Fish waste provides the nutrients required for plant growth, and the plants absorb these nutrients, which helps to purify the water for the fish. This creates a symbiotic relationship between the fish and plants, which results in a highly efficient and sustainable food production system.

Over the past five years, Merlin Aquaponic Farms has conducted extensive research to optimize their system and develop new technologies to enhance its efficiency. The company has focused on improving the water quality and nutrient balance in the aquaponic system, as well as developing new methods for monitoring and controlling the system to ensure optimal growth and yield.

One of the key innovations developed by Merlin Farms is their proprietary water treatment system, which uses a combination of biological, mechanical, and chemical processes to maintain water quality and nutrient balance in the system. This system ensures that the fish and plants are provided with the optimal conditions they need to grow and thrive.

The global food security crisis is an increasingly pressing issue. It is estimated that by 2050, the world’s population will reach 9.7 billion, and the demand for food will outstrip the supply. In order to meet the challenge of feeding this growing population, innovative solutions must be developed. One potential solution is the integration of Aquaponics and CRISPR gene editing. Aquaponics is a form of agriculture that combines aquaculture and hydroponics, and CRISPR gene editing is a revolutionary technology that allows for precise and efficient genetic manipulation.

Aquaponics is a sustainable and efficient way to produce food. It is a closed-loop system that combines fish farming and hydroponics, allowing for the cultivation of both fish and plants. The fish waste provides the nutrients that the plants need to grow, while the plants filter and clean the water for the fish. This system eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers, reduces water use and waste, and is highly productive. Additionally, Aquaponics can be used to grow a wide variety of crops, including fruits and vegetables, which can help to diversify diets and reduce food insecurity.

CRISPR gene editing is a revolutionary technology that allows for precise and efficient genetic manipulation. It can be used to develop crops that are more resilient to drought and disease, have higher yields, and require fewer resources. Additionally, CRISPR can be used to modify the genes of fish, allowing for faster growth and improved disease resistance. By combining Aquaponics and CRISPR gene editing, it is possible to create an efficient and sustainable system for producing food that can help to address the global food security crisis.

Aquaponics and CRISPR gene editing can be used to create a system that is both productive and sustainable. Aquaponics can provide the nutrients and water needed for the plants, while CRISPR can be used to modify the genes of the fish and plants to make them more resilient and productive. Additionally, this system can be used to produce a variety of crops, which can help to diversify diets and reduce food insecurity. By combining Aquaponics and CRISPR gene editing, it is possible to create a sustainable and efficient system for producing food that can help to address the global food security crisis.

The Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP) and Manbat by Arada are supporting Merlin Aquaponic Farms through a variety of initiatives.

SRTIP has provided Merlin Farms with access to a range of resources and services, including consulting and mentoring, access to technology and research, and financial incentives. SRTIP has also provided Merlin with access to its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hub, which provides a platform for knowledge and experience sharing.

Manbat by Arada, meanwhile, has provided Merlin with access to its incubator program, which provides mentorship, seed funding, and resources to startups. In addition, Manbat by Arada provides Merlin with access to its network of investors, mentors, and customers.

Furthermore, the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) has selected Merlin Farms as part of its Cohort 5, which provides funding and support to innovative start-ups. This includes access to mentorship and workshops, as well as financial support.

The support provided by SRTIP, Manbat by Arada, and MBRIF has enabled Merlin Aquaponic Farms to expand its operations and reach a wider market. This, in turn, has allowed Merlin Farms to provide more sustainable and efficient food production solutions to its customers.