Chile is taking a major step toward climate-smart agriculture with the launch of an artificial intelligence–driven aquaponics project that delivers up to 95 percent water-use efficiency. Developed in the drought-affected Valparaíso Region, the initiative integrates hydroponic vegetable farming with trout production in a closed-loop, technology-enabled system.
The project, promoted by the Foundation for Agrarian Innovation (FIA), is being piloted in the commune of Limache on land owned by producer Gastón Vidal. Designed to address chronic water scarcity, the system continuously recirculates water between vegetable crops and fish tanks, drastically reducing consumption while maintaining productivity.
At the core of the model is circular resource use. Organic waste from trout is converted into natural fertilizer for vegetables, while water flows back to the fish tanks after plant irrigation. Only around five percent of water is lost through plant transpiration, making the system one of the most water-efficient agri-food solutions currently tested in Chile.
“Sustainability has different paths, and one of them is aquaponics,” said project coordinator Kurt Neuling. “Today we are in the production stage and taking a leap toward technological advancement by incorporating sensors and artificial intelligence.”
Although still experimental, the initiative has attracted strong interest from small farmers seeking to diversify income streams. Demand for trout in the regional hospitality sector remains high, and local production could reduce dependence on long-distance supply chains from southern Chile.
Currently, water quality indicators such as ammonia, nitrates, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and pH are measured manually. The next phase aims to integrate sensors, Internet of Things technology, and AI-driven analytics to shift from reactive management to predictive control.
FIA regional representative Andrés Gálmez explained that artificial intelligence will enable early warnings and reduce operational risks in trout farming, which is highly sensitive to environmental changes.
With international interest from organizations such as the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, the project positions smart aquaponics as a scalable solution for food security, efficient water use, and sustainable farming in arid regions.
