Boosting Urban Nutrition Security: A GIS based multi-criteria evaluation for pilot aquaponics greenhouse site selection and practitioner’s perspectives

Abstract

Climate change in Pakistan is leading to extreme events, water stress , lower crop productivity, spread of food, water and vector borne diseases and ultimately food and nutrition insecurity and undernutrition. In order to combat that, policies must go beyond staples and a shift towards climate resilient agriculture must be made, that is both nutrition friendly and health promoting. This study is on aquaponics farming which falls under climate resilient agriculture, it is also majorly organic, regenerative, and a circular food production technique. Currently in Pakistan work is being done on either aquaculture or hydroponics alone and is very limited on the combination of both i.e. aquaponics. Moreover, the integration of Geographic Information System based land use planning for aquaponics is finite.The first objective of the study is to integrate a Geographic Information System and multi criteria evaluation approach in identifying the potential suitable sites in Islamabad for establishment of pilot aquaponics greenhouse. The second objective is to investigate how do diverse practitioners perceive the role of aquaponics as a climate resilient agriculture technique to combat nutrition insecurity in urban environments? The study applied a mixed methodology. Firstly, for site suitability analysis an analytical hierarchy process was used. Criteria maps were prepared. The generated layers were standardised using a pairwise comparison matrix. Final site suitability map was prepared by the help of weighted overlay analysis .For the second objective semi structured interviews were conducted. A thorough thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring themes in the perspectives.The key findings of the study are Aquaponics greenhouse site suitability map proposing the areas best suited for building such greenhouses using engineering parameters. Additionally, the perceptions of practitioners came forward regarding the potential of aquaponics to combat nutrition insecurity in urban settings. The study provides valuable insights for policy makers, and resource managers in selecting suitable sites for sustainable aquaponics farming, which will ultimately enhance resource management in the region. Moreover, it will lead to research advancement to create targeted interventions that could encourage the adoption of aquaponics.