middle east’s urban green revolution – through hydroponics
TRANSCRIPT
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
Telephone: +971(0) 48 188 300
Email: