The Trakia University in Stara Zagora has established the first Aquaponics Center in Eastern Europe. The university's educational, research and industrial center for controlled environmentally friendly production is located on 4,000 square meters and uses systems by an American leader in this type of industry, the university said.

The production cycle starts this spring and the produce will be on the market in the autumn. With continuous production, the annual produce will reach about 120,000 green leafy organically produced plants and about 3 tons of fish.

Aquaponic technology is a process in which beneficial bacteria in aquatic environment turn fish waste into plant nutrients, which are absorbed and this helps purify the water in which fish live. The natural microbial process keeps fish and plants healthy and at the same time maintains a symbiotic environment in which all three species - beneficial microorganisms, fish and plants can thrive. The benefits of this type of production are not only economic but also environmental. With minimal labor, energy and water resources, the quality of plants is maintained without pesticides or herbicides.

Compiled by: Darina Grigorova

English: Alexander Markov