Doha, January 21 (QNA)  Qatar University Research Magazine highlighted in its new issue the vertical farming technology for year-round soil-free vegetable cultivation in Qatar, as well as the prospects of this new technology in supporting the domestic agricultural product.
The vertical farming technology is a qualitative shift in agriculture and has succeeded in providing effective means of cultivating soil-free crops utilizing stacked layers or shelves instead of resorting to open fields, something that would potentially contribute to providing spaces, increasing them, reducing resource consumption and increasing production during the whole year with the emphasis on observing the environmental impacts, the magazine outlined.
The magazine noted the Agricultural Research Station patented agricultural technology to grow vegetables without soil throughout the year in Qatar through hydroponic vegetable cultivation system in in the facility for fresh leafy vegetables that leverages the cutting-edge scientific technologies in in a highly controlled environment to offer the optimal growth conditions.
The journal touched on the cultivation process starting from a careful selection of high-quality seeds, focusing on varieties that thrive in controlled environments to ensure optimal growth. Subsequently, seeds are sown on the seeding mat, using seedling trays and kept under a lighting shade cover for 1 day. These trays are placed in a seedling pool where temperature, humidity and lighting conditions are carefully controlled to encourage rapid and uniform germination.
The report pointed out that vertical farming offers a host of benefits. It allows for year-round production, ensuring a consistent supply of leafy greens regardless of external factors like weather and seasons. This approach also leads to reduced resource usage, as controlled environments cut water consumption by up to 90% when compared to traditional farming, while energy-efficient LED lighting minimizes electricity consumption.
Additionally, vertical farming contributes to a smaller carbon footprint by being located closer to urban areas, which reduces transportation emissions and by employing controlled environments that lessen the need for chemical inputs. Vertical farms also excel in space efficiency, requiring only a fraction of the land required by conventional farming, making them suitable for urban environments.
The magazine noted that this new farming technology aligns with the environmental conditions in Qatar, considering factors such as water scarcity, limited space and high temperatures. The innovative technology stands out by separating production factors from environmental variables, ensuring production continuity, product quality and safety.
The research team is currently working on adapting and developing project ideas to fit the Qatari environmental conditions, particularly in terms of cooling systems and energy supplies, in collaboration with researchers from Qatar University in these fields. This project is expected to open new research horizons for various disciplines within and outside of Qatar University, offering new training and research opportunities for students. Additionally, it is anticipated that the project will provide a domestically produced product that supports the local market. (QNA)