Middle East’s Urban Green Revolution – Through Hydroponics
Middle East Farmers have taken the inventiveness to accept and move with technologically advanced farming methods to alleviate the issue of food imports in the region; they have already accepted the soilless farming- hydroponics to grow food in the desert. The technology of soilless farming or hydroponics is best suit for Middle East’s challenging conditions for farming and especially for the unavailability of arable land in the urban areas.
In most of the GCC countries, the obstacles for conventional agriculture are the lack of water and space, and probably farmers can’t grow anything without plenty of water and fertile land space. But with hydroponics, even a small facility can make wonders.
It is proven that tons of high quality vegetables can be grown in hydroponic green houses in the crowded cities of GCC, in controlled environment. The produce of hydroponic farming will be of higher quality than the conventional farm products as they are free from harmful pesticides and weeds and many other ways of contamination. Farmers can save more on such vegetables due to the increased proximity to the vegetables markets or sometimes they will have the chance to deal with direct customers such as big hotel groups or supermarket chains.
According to the farmers, the soil salinity made it almost impossible to grow crops in this region; and in a hydroponic system, farmers generally won’t have to interfere with any such issues. hydroponic systems are in fact more cost effective as it doesn’t require the excessive use of expensive fertilizers. It can produce much fruits and vegetables of better quality, with comparatively very less water, and no or less pesticides. The hydroponic systems (mostly are indoor green houses) effectively prevents diseases from reaching the plants and production can be possible year round irrespective of any climate conditions. Automatic controller systems are available in many hydroponic farms in this region, which controls the salinity and acidity of the solution used for the crops. The correct concentration of nutrients in the growing media gives maximum results.
The automatic nutrient controller systems provide maximum efficiency of nutrient absorption and ensures the vegetation takes up all the nutrients it requires in the correct amount. So maximum yields of superior quality can be assured and a successful project can deliver up to 50-60% increased yield with better quality produce.
Pegasus Agriculture, the hydroponic farming major of the region operates a number of urban hydroponic facilities in the region and supports the conventional farmers for an urban green revolution through soilless farming.
Pegasus Agriculture Dubai Citadel Tower, Business Bay Dubai, United Arab Emirates P.O.Box 235427 +971(0) 48 188 300 Email: info@pegasusagriculture.com