Smart Biofloc Fish Farms

360energy

Smart Biofloc Fish Farms

Smart solar aquaculture with IoT monitoring to transform small-scale farms into productive, low-emission, and export-ready operations

Sukabumi Regency, West Java, Indonesia

IDN

Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing industry, expected to provide 60% of the world’s seafood by 2030. However, the promise of aquaculture as a sustainable protein source is undermined by gaps in current production methods. This is particularly true in Indonesia. While it is the world’s second-largest aquaculture producer, Indonesia’s small and mid-scale farmers struggle with poor yields and unstable income. They are locked out of this growth due to outdated practices, high energy costs, and lack of access to export markets. Indonesia’s aquaculture industry contributes 0.53% to nominal GDP and employs 2.2 million people, or 1.5% of the total workforce. Yet, aquaculture workers generate only $3,400 annually or 30% below the national per capita GDP. The root of this underperformance lies in the dominance of low-intensive fish farming (rearing) systems. These systems stock fewer fish, use limited water treatment (even if so, powered by diesel generators), and rely on labor, producing less than 2 kg of fish per 1 M3 (1000 liters) of pond space. Despite having 6.5 million ponds across the country, more than 75% remain under-productive and environmentally damaging. Unlocking this problem requires transformations on how aquaculture systems are powered, operated, and financed.

Smart Biofloc SolarAquaculture is an aquaculture system that integrates solar power, biofloc technology, IoT monitoring, and export certification. It replaces diesel with clean solar energy and transforms low-yield ponds into intensive ponds, optimized for both productivity and sustainability. Biofloc uses beneficial microbes to recycle fish waste into protein-rich biomass, minimizing water usage and reducing feed waste. Our average Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), which calculates how many fish food units are required to yield one unit of fish weight, is 1.1 compared to 1.5 in conventional systems. This means less feed, less cost, and less environmental impact. We equip each pond with solar-powered aeration and IoT sensors that monitor nine water and growth indicators in real-time. This allows precise control of oxygen, pH, ammonia, and other key factors, supporting yields of over 3 tons per 100 cubic meters in just 12 weeks—up to 10× more than traditional ponds. Each system includes support for CBIB and ASC certification, enabling export-quality and compliance. We deploy a zero-capex model with profit-sharing (farmers retain 60–90% revenue), removing upfront cost barriers. Our pilot has proved the model’s viability, achieving 3.12 tons of tilapia in one cycle with solar covering 20% of energy needs.

We serve small to medium-scale fish and shrimp farmers, especially those running low-intensity systems without electricity or access to export markets. These farmers often face low margins, lack access to credit, and depend on local middlemen. Their operations are vulnerable to fuel price volatility and climate risks, and growth frequently involves unsustainable land use, such as mangrove clearance. Our solution replaces this trade-off with a sustainable growth model. We install solar-powered, biofloc-based aquaculture systems at zero upfront cost. Through partnerships with cooperatives and aquaculture research centers, we provide retraining, IoT-based digital monitoring, and export certification support. Farmers retain 60–90% of net harvest revenue, depending on pond size and operational role. In our West Java pilot, the Berkah Minah Cooperative increased yields from under 1.2 metric tons/year to over 12 metric tons/year from a 100m³ pond, with solar covering 20% of energy use. This enabled job creation, tool reinvestment, and a shift to formal buyers. Farmers now meet national (CBIB) and international (ASC) standards, sell to premium markets, and grow income without expanding land use. This model offers a scalable, climate-aligned pathway to help rural producers compete in global seafood value chains.