Citation: Ibrahim, L.A.; Shaghaleh, H.; El-Kassar, G.M.; Abu-Hashim, M.; Elsadek, E.A.; Alhaj Hamoud, Y. Aquaponics: A Sustainable Path to Food Sovereignty and Enhanced Water Use Efficiency. Water 2023, 15, 4310. https://doi.org/10.3390/ w15244310 Academic Editor: Steven G. Pueppke Received: 6 November 2023 Revised: 10 December 2023 Accepted: 14 December 2023 Published: 18 December 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). water Review Aquaponics: A Sustainable Path to Food Sovereignty and Enhanced Water Use Efficiency Lubna A. Ibrahim 1 , Hiba Shaghaleh 2, * , Gamal Mohamed El-Kassar 1 , Mohamed Abu-Hashim 3 , Elsayed Ahmed Elsadek 4 and Yousef Alhaj Hamoud 5,6, * 1 Water Management Research Institute (WMRI), National Water Research Center (NWRC), El-Qanater El-Khairia 13621, Egypt; lubnaibrahim43@gmail.com (L.A.I.); gelkassar@yahoo.com (G.M.E.-K.) 2 College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China 3 Soil Science Department, College of Agriculture, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt; dr.mabuhashim@gmail.com 4 Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, College of Agriculture, Damietta University, Damietta 34517, Egypt 5 State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China 6 College of Hydrology and Water Recourses, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China * Correspondence: hiba-shaghaleh@njfu.edu.cn (H.S.); yousef-hamoud11@hhu.edu.cn (Y.A.H.) Abstract: This comprehensive review explores aquaponics as an environmentally friendly solution aligned with SDGs and food sovereignty, assessing various aspects from system design to automation, and weighing social, economic, and environmental benefits through literature and case studies. However, challenges persist in obtaining organic certification and legislative recognition, hindering its growth. Achieving remarkable water use efficiency, up to 90%, relies on adaptable fish species like Nile tilapia and carp. Nutrient-rich fish feeds notably benefit low-nutrient-demanding greens. Ensuring water quality and efficient nitrification are pivotal, supported by IoT systems. Despite its efficiency, integrating Industry 4.0 involves complexity and cost barriers, necessitating ongoing inno- vation. Economies of scale and supportive horticultural policies can bolster its viability. Aquaponics, known for its efficiency in enhancing crop yields while minimizing water use and waste, is expanding globally, especially in water-scarce regions. Aquaponics, pioneered by the University of the Virgin Islands, is expanding in Europe, notably in Spain, Denmark, Italy, and Germany. Asia and Africa also recognize its potential for sustainable food production, especially in water-limited areas. While it offers fresh produce and cost savings, challenges arise in scaling up, managing water quality, and meeting energy demands, particularly for indoor systems. Egypt’s interest in desert and coastal regions highlights aquaponics’ eco-friendly food production potential. Despite the associated high costs, there is a quest for practical and affordable designs for everyday integration. Research in arid regions and industry advancements are crucial for aquaponics’ global food production potential. Deeper exploration of intelligent systems and automation, particularly in large-scale setups, is essen- tial, highlighting the industry’s promise. Practical application, driven by ongoing research and local adaptations, is a key to fully harnessing aquaponics for sustainable food production worldwide. Keywords: aquaponics; automation; food sustainability; food sovereignty; water productivity 1. Introduction Irrigation is essential for agriculture, especially in areas with limited rainfall. Various methods like surface, drip, sprinkler, and sub-surface irrigation are used based on crop type, soil, and water availability. Amidst the challenges posed by burgeoning population growth, water scarcity, and environmental changes, efficient irrigation techniques have become increasingly important [1]. Traditional irrigation techniques frequently lead to substantial water loss through evaporation, runoff, and uneven distribution. This has Water 2023, 15, 4310. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15244310 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/water