Soil-less farming a big hit in Qatar

The demand for the hydroponic technique used by some local agricultural farms to increase production of vegetables has increased and more than 200 individuals and entities have asked for installation of this modern soil-less farming method at their homes or farms in last three days.

“In the last three days of the fifth Qatar International Agricultural Exhibition "Agriteq 2017", we have received more than 200 applications from various individuals and commercial entities asking this technology and green-houses at their homes and farms as it is more healthy than traditional agriculture,” said Ali Ahmed from The Global Farm for Agricultural Supplies pavilion at the 'Agriteq 2017'.

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants in a water-based, nutrient-rich solution. Hydroponics does not use soil, instead the root system is supported using an inert medium such as perlite, rockwool, clay pellets, peat moss, or vermiculite.

The Global Farm for Agricultural Supplies is a specialized company in modern techniques of hydroponic technique and also for establishing green houses by using development ways.

“We want to spread the culture of hydroponics and green-houses among people because it can bring efficiency in the production of vegetables between 60 to 70 percent," Ali Ahmed added.

Hydroponic has less plant pests and diseases that affect the crops. It also reduces water consumption by about 70 percent.

"Five years ago, we introduced this technique and we have provided this technique and green-houses to many homes and farms".

Explaining the cost of this techniques, Ali said: “The cost for a small green house is QR25,000 while some techniques which are for only one type of vegetable cost between QR1,500 to QR2,500. Hydroponic technique is important for homes because it offers efficiency of production and also is not taking space of land like the regular agriculture”.

The Global Farm for Agricultural Supplies has partnership with a number of commercial entities like Katara, the Central Market and Al Meera for providing vegetables. “To Al Meera alone we have provided about 40,000 tonnes of five types of vegetables like tomato and cucumber in the last three months. And these vegetables being supplied can perfectly compete with European vegetables”, he added.

Earlier, Yusuf Khalid Al Khulaifi, Director of Agriculture Affairs at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment, told The Peninsula that it was an amazing technique because it rationalised the consumption of water and gives high quality products.

More than 100 local and international companies specialised in agricultural products and equipment are participating in the exhibition which will conclude today at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.

Director of Public Parks Department, and head of the exhibition, Mohamed Ali Al Khouri, said that 'Agriteq 2017' aims to strengthen agriculture sector hoping "it will be a meeting place for companies working in this field".