A Brief History of iAVs

The Integrated AquaVegeculture System (iAVs) represents a groundbreaking approach to sustainable agriculture.  Developed by Dr. Mark McMurtry, the system emerged from his deep concern for the pressing issues of hunger, poverty, and environmental degradation prevalent in African communities.

Development and Early Experiments

In the 1980s, Dr. McMurtry divested from his successful architectural woodworking enterprise to dedicate resources to sustainable agriculture research.  His innovative experiments with various filtration materials for home aquariums led to a pivotal discovery: the exceptional suitability of sand as a filtration medium.”

He commenced his experimentation with a modest setup, positioning a 3-gallon dishpan atop a 30-gallon aquarium.  The preliminary outcomes were encouraging, demonstrating that the sand filter markedly decreased the maintenance demands of the aquarium.

Dr. McMurtry initiated his experiments by testing whether plants could effectively remove detritus from the system, thereby eliminating the need for manual cleaning of the sand.  To this end, he sowed lettuce seeds in the sand filter basins.  The rapid and robust growth of the lettuce plants not only met but exceeded his expectations.

Encouraged by these results, Dr. McMurtry expanded his research to include other crops.  He experimented with chives, basil, and bush beans, among others.  Each of these crops demonstrated similarly remarkable growth rates and health, further validating the efficacy of the sand filter system in supporting diverse plant life.

To enhance the system’s efficiency, McMurtry implemented a technique called reciprocating biofilters (RBF), also known as ‘flood and drain.’  This method employs a timer-regulated circulation pump to prevent root drowning and to replenish oxygen in the filter with each dewatering cycle.

Collaboration and Advancements

In the mid-1980s, Dr. Mark McMurtry collaborated with Dr. Merle H. Jensen, an expert in sand culture, horticulture, and greenhouse design. Dr. Merle H. Jensen was the designer of the Land Pavilion at EPCOT Center, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, along with numerous other significant accomplishments.

Dr. Mark McMurtry’s significant breakthrough occurred upon discovering the application of fluidized-bed sand filters in large-scale aquariums, such as those at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Center.  These biological filters utilize sand as a growth medium for beneficial bacteria, a concept that inspired him to devise a comparable filtration system for his aquaculture endeavors.

In the autumn of 1984, Mark began to study greenhouse operations and management with Dr. Paul V. Nelson (Professor Emeritus), a greenhouse management and plant nutrition expert based at NCSU.

Dr. Paul V. Nelson is a renowned expert in botanical mineral nutrition and greenhouse management, whose contributions to the field of horticulture have been significant and far-reaching. His book, “Greenhouse Operation and Management,” is widely recognized as an industry standard and is extensively used in university-level courses worldwide. 

Dr. Nelson played a crucial role in the development of the Integrated AquaVegeculture System (iAVs). He generously provided the greenhouse space for the initial, formal iAVs research and offered his technical expertise, without which the iAVs project may not have come to fruition.

Together, they conducted a comparative trial to evaluate plant growth in an integrated aquaculture system— utilizing sand filters with furrows— against that in an inorganic hydroponics system set up in identical sand conditions.

The results demonstrated that the integrated aquaculture system significantly outperformed the hydroponics system, yielding a 200% to 300% higher growth rate across various plant species. Dr. Nelson continued to support iAVs as a valued advisor, mentor and co-author through the ensuing ten years.

Research and Expansion

In 1986, Dr. Mark McMurtry developed an expanded iAVs demonstration project to serve as a proof of concept at the village scale.  This project was designed to simulate environmental conditions typical of the Middle East, Northern Africa, and the Sahel region. 

Funded personally by McMurtry, the study not only aimed to validate the iAVs method but also fulfilled a portion of the requirements for his Master’s Degree in Environmental Design.  Additionally, it contributed to his concurrent pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Technology for International Development as a precursor to admission to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

In the winter of 1986-87, Dr. McMurtry began tracking all nutrient inputs from fish feed to identify their distribution and impact. He dedicated several months to conducting elemental analysis of plant tissues and assessing changes within the filter volume in a laboratory setting.

Academic Pursuits and Challenges

In May 1987, Dr. Douglas C. Sanders from North Carolina State University encouraged Dr. McMurtry to pursue a PhD in Horticultural Science. This program featured a unique interdisciplinary committee comprising six senior faculty members representing four life-science disciplines. 

At that time, the idea of integrating aquaculture into the field of Horticultural Science was not widely accepted by many academics and administrators at the conservative Land Grant Institution.

Dr. McMurtry acknowledges and expresses gratitude to the numerous esteemed scientists who supported and facilitated his research in integrated aquaponic systems (iAVs). A list of contributors to the development of iAVs is provided at https://iavs.info/the-iavs-research-group/.

His dissertation research involved constructing another iAV system, consisting of a total of 16 tanks, to test four different tank-to-filter volume ratios. These trials were based on three crop intervals, including one non-crop period. 

The objective of the studies was to establish biometric relationships, constraints, and limits, such as determining the appropriate biofilter volume per fish (feed) and the yield of plants per increase in fish weight.

iAVs Research Group

From 1984 to 1994 the iAVs Research Group at NCSU was composed of 7 co-investigators from 5 disciplines, plus 9 principal consultants, 9 co-authors published in 5 referred Journals, and accessed the services of over 4 dozen other consultants and technicians. Ten of the iAVs research participants are currently (already) honored by their peers as “Fellow” of their respective professional discipline.  This is the highest professional honor conferred on a scientist with the exception of a Nobel Laureate.

Fellows (Co-Investigators underlined)

  • American Academy for the Advancement of Science: J Burkholder, BA Costa-Pierce, PA Sanchez
  • American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers:  JC Sager,  R Sneed
  • American Society of Horticultural Science:  PV Nelson,   DC Sanders, LG Wilson
  • Crop Science Society of America: RP Patterson
  • Industrial Design Society of America: VM Foote

More than a few of the others contributors (non-Fellows) are/were exceptionally well-known and highly respected within their chosen field, e.g., JL Apple, RJ Downs, HD Gross, RG Hodson, D Huisingh, MH Jensen, GA Marlowe, et al.

iAVs participants included faculty from 16 Departments of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 4 other Colleges at NCSU, as well as contributors from:

  • 20 (+) external institutions,
  • 3 UN Agencies (UNDP, UNEP, FAO) ,
  • 5 US Govt. Depts. (DOS, NASA, OECD, USAID, USDA)
  • 2 USDA Commercial Demonstration Project participants
  • 10 (+) foreign government’s agriculture/development Ministries
  • 30 (+) development assistance and humanitarian relief NGO’s.

International Outreach and Impact

Dr. McMurtry completed his dissertation at North Carolina State University and subsequently submitted several articles that were published in peer-reviewed journals focused on aquaculture and horticulture.

He then brought his work to sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, initially serving as a Research Associate with NCSU International Programs in collaboration with several U.S. universities and various international aid organizations. From 1989 to 1994, Dr. McMurtry traveled to over a dozen countries, promoting the practical applications of iAVs.

The majority of the travel expenses and associated medical costs were self-funded by Dr. McMurtry, as were most of the iAVs research expenditures. 

Speraneos and Bio-culture

In December 1989, Dr. McMurtry led a three-day interactive discussion and workshop at the Meadowcreek Project in Fox, Arizona. This event was attended by faculty, students, representatives of the aquaculture industry, as well as Tom and Paula Speraneo.

Tom and Paula Speraneo, who initially aimed to develop an integrated aquaculture and aquaponics system (iAVs), asserted that their use of gravel represented a significant differentiation that justified their claim to ownership of the concept. They referred to their innovation as “Bio-culture” and actively promoted it through the emerging platform of the Internet. 

Ironically, while iAVs began to fade into obscurity, the Speraneo variant sparked a surge of popular interest, ultimately overshadowing its predecessor. In the following years, this simplified version became widely recognized as the flood-and-drain aquaponics system.

USDA Trial

During Dr. McMurtry’s time overseas, Boone Mora and Tim Garrett established and managed a USDA-funded iAVs Commercial Demonstration Project in Eastern North Carolina. Despite being novices in both aquaculture and horticulture, and with only minimal training, they achieved an impressive yield of 115 kg/cu m/yr of hybrid Tilapia, along with significant production of cucumber, pepper, and tomato.

Unanswered Communications with FAO

Additionally, on July 17, 1989, the NCSU iAVS Research Group communicated with Dr. Khadi of the FAO Irrigation Program in Rome, providing detailed information on the iAVS methodology, findings, and their intention to implement iAVS in areas with urgent food and water needs. Both USAID and USDA/OICD had encouraged the iAVS research group to approach FAO to share insights about this technology and seek their guidance, but no response was received.

Furthermore, Dr. Douglas C. Sanders, Chair of the iAVS Research Group, visited FAO Rome on September 2 and 3, 1990, and reported that he felt his presentation was well received. However, following this visit, a significant amount of time passed without any further communication from FAO, despite multiple attempts to follow up. Sadly, no response was ever received from anyone connected with the FAO.

iAVs Implementation in Namibia

In early 1990, as the new Republic of Namibia was being established, Dr. Mark McMurtry successfully advocated for support from U.S. Senator George Mitchell, the then Majority Leader in the Senate, and subsequently Robert C. Byrd, who was Chair of the Senate Foreign Appropriations Committee. Together with Sir David Godfrey and the Rössing Foundation, they aimed to implement the Integrated Aqua-Vegeculture System (iAVs) throughout Namibia. 

Dr. Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first President, personally expressed his gratitude to North Carolina State University for Dr. McMurtry’s contributions and commitment to enhancing food security in Namibia. By March 1991, a five-year development plan had been developed and preparations were in place to advance the initiative. 

A special appropriation amounting to US$7.5 million (equivalent to $18 million today) was secured, with support from then U.S. Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, to implement integrated agricultural ventures throughout Namibia. However, these funds were allegedly misappropriated in April 1991 by the then incoming USAID Mission Director, who claimed they would be used to acquire housing to attract his anticipated staff to Windhoek. 

The U.S. State Department, Congress, and the Administration reportedly expressed significant displeasure regarding this diversion of funds; however, the money had already been expended and could not be retrieved.

Challenges and Controversies

Upon his return to the United States in 1996 from Africa, he found that the university had terminated his tenure due to his opposition to its plans to license iAVs to large food production conglomerates.

The iAVs method was intentionally made publicly accessible by becoming open-source in 1985. Dr. McMurtry actively opposed multiple attempts by North Carolina State University (TULCO) in the late 1980s to commercialize the technology by transferring proprietary rights to various multinational agricultural corporations. 

This included the sale of rights and research results for which Dr. McMurtry was the original inventor, developer, and primary funder. His opposition was reinforced through legal arguments, as well as through public press releases and nationwide presentations delivered to numerous universities and institutes across the United States, Africa, and the Middle East, with the support of NCSU’s Office of International Programs and the USDA’s Office of International Cooperation in Development (OICD).

“Having examined the iAVs food production technology, I believe that the methodology is ideally suited to the requirements of Namibia…Following consultation with the leadership of the indigenous NGO’s, I believe that the iAVs technology would provide significant opportunities and benefits for the people of Namibia…I actively support the proposed approach outlined/developed by DR McMurtry, et al., and suggest that his direction and guidance be applied to the continued evolution of the programmatic details (comprehensive planning) as well as in the implementation/execution of the iAVs and supporting technologies for Namibia.” – His Excellency, Dr. Sam Nujoma, 18 April 1991.

Challenges in Israel and Palestine

On Sept. 13, 1993, Yitzhak Rabin and Yassir Arafat concluded a peace agreement between Israel and the PLO with a handshake of The Whitehouse lawn. That same day, NCSU’s Office in international Programs (OIP) received a phone call from The Whitehouse attempting to contact Dr. Mark McMurtry. 

The next day Dr. Mark McMurtry gave a presentation at a conference attended by The PLO Delegation to the UN, the US Dept. of State, USAID, Vice President Albert Gore’s senior staff, The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD, aka The World Bank) and about 30 member institutions of the Joint Center for NGO/PVO and University Collaboration in Development.

Dr. McMurtry then went to  NYC, and DC for multiple substantive discussions on implementing iAVs at scale (“feed a million people” on 128 ha.). This was to occur at Jericho by accessing fossil groundwater ± 1000 meters below the Dead Sea. Then, it was back to NCSU where the Chancellor, Dean of CALS and Director of OIP each had dollar signs replacing the pupils of their eyes since IBRD had proffered development sums in the several billion US dollar range.

The project had the stated support of then Vice President, Al Gore and then Senate Majority Leader, George Mitchell and the assurance of funding from both IBRD and USAID.

Regrettably, the entire U.S.-Israeli lobby on C-Street, along with their representatives in Congress, exhibited a strong reaction to recent developments. It quickly became clear that Israel is unlikely to permit Palestine access to fossil water located beneath the recently ceded Palestinian territory, nor will it allow access to any fresh water sources on the West Bank. 

Additionally, it appears that Israel will not entertain the possibility of Palestine achieving even a limited degree of self-sufficiency in food production for its population.

At this time, Jesse Helms, North Carolina’s Senior U.S. Senator and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, raised substantial objections to what he viewed as an anti-Israeli policy. He clearly communicated his concerns to the entire North Carolina State University administration and faculty, as well as to Dr. McMurtry. 

The Clinton Administration made considerable efforts to address Senator Helms’ concerns, along with those of others who shared similar viewpoints; however, these initiatives ultimately fell short of effectiveness. 

Several years later, the Israeli government and its lobby in the United States impeded the World Bank’s (IBRD) and UN/FAO plans to provide food for a million Palestinians through the implementation of 100 hectares of integrated agricultural systems at Jericho, which relied on sourcing fossil water from deep below the Dead Sea.

Adversity and Setbacks

Dr. Mark McMurtry faced significant challenges and hardships during a difficult period of his life. Struggling with poor health, he subsisted on a modest service-connected Vietnam veteran disability pension. His circumstances took a devastating turn in 2018 when a forest fire destroyed his home, resulting in the loss of all his possessions and causing him injury. This phase represented a time of profound adversity and personal setbacks for Dr. McMurtry, testing his resilience in the face of health issues, financial constraints, and catastrophic loss.

Revival and Recognition

Without institutional support, income – and pre-internet – he was no longer able to support the dissemination of iAVs and it lapsed into obscurity. Dr. McMurtry engaged in a discussion on the Aquaponics Nation forum in 2014, which ultimately brought greater visibility to his work, which might otherwise have remained obscure. The next 6 years Dr. Mark McMurtry and Gary Donaldson continued to volunteer their time to promote iAVs.

FAO’s Missed Opportunity in Gaza

FAO’s aquaponics pilot in Gaza, initiated in 2012 and expanded in 2013, demonstrates a concerning disregard for existing research and expertise in the field. The organization completely ignored the iAVS research conducted by Dr. Mark McMurtry and his team at North Carolina State University.

Dr. McMurtry is widely recognized as the inventor of what is now commonly termed “aquaponics.” The categorical omission of iAVS and Dr. McMurtry’s contributions from FAO’s efforts displays a lack of professional integrity and competence. Had FAO acknowledged and incorporated the extensive iAVS research and consulted with Dr. McMurtry, their impact in Gaza could have been significantly greater – potentially by an order of magnitude or more.

This oversight not only undermines the credibility of FAO’s work but also deprives beneficiaries of the most effective and well-researched aquaponics methodologies. The failure to recognize the historical context and scientific foundations of aquaponics raises questions about the thoroughness of FAO’s approach and their commitment to implementing truly optimal solutions for food-insecure communities.

Critical Analysis of “Aquaponics Food Production Systems” Paper

In 2019 a paper titled “Aquaponics Food Production Systems” was published. The paper reveals significant shortcomings in its research. The authors did not investigate the origins of what is now referred to as aquaponics. They failed to provide context regarding the individuals, timeline, locations, motivations, and methodologies associated with the development of aquaponics, nor did they acknowledge existing efforts to promote authentic implementations of this practice.

Notably, the authors did not mention the most extensively researched, documented, and published methodology associated with aquaponics, which has been in the academic conversation since 1986. This methodology, known as the Integrated Aqua-Vegeculture System (iAVS). The omission of this critical information by the authors raises concerns about the integrity of their work.

 

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