Sustainability |
Qatar Moving Towards
Agricultural Self-Reliance
W
ith a dry, subtropical desert climate, low annual
rainfall, and hot summers, Qatar might not appear
to be the natural environment for growing fresh produce.
However, thanks to a pioneering new state-funded farming
system that needs no soil and recycles water, Qatar is
aiming to grow 70% of its own vegetables by 2023.
Smart greenhouses with no soil and a “dry air cooling
system” with no water required: this is arguably the most
advanced hydroponic system in the world. Pilot projects
using tomatoes have been highly successful, and peppers,
strawberries, herbs, and flowers are all expected to grow
well under cover.
Agricultural self-reliance is an important component
of Qatar’s long-term vision as its economy expands
and diversifies. However, it’s not just about being
self-sufficient. A sustainable food supply requires a
sustainable environment and Qatar continues to pursue
new environmentally-friendly technologies to support
its development.
This hydroponic technology, developed by a Qatar-Spain
collaboration, can also be deployed outdoors. Although
limited to Qatar’s cooler months, a range of vegetables
including broccoli, corn, and courgette are expected
to thrive.
This innovative approach is helping Qatar produce its
own safe, abundant, and sustainable food supply. Although
not yet fully self-sufficient, Qatar’s reliance on imported
food is drastically decreasing as these new farming
techniques spread across the country.
When deployed indoors, the new technology even permits
year-round vegetable production, and at a fraction of
present costs due to its low energy consumption.
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