The Hydroponic Trial and Demonstration Centre opened by Agrico, Qafco and Yara International in February 2019 has achieved six times higher yield than the average productivity in Qatar and 50% higher than the best Qatari farmers could achieve by using the similar technologies.
The quality of the facilities and the materials used in cultivation, coupled with high professionalism of the agronomists resulted in an astonishingly high yield of 33kg of tomatoes per sq m per year in multispan plastic greenhouse with evaporative cooling, according to a statement from Qafco.
The information is based on a detailed report on the results of cultivation of tomatoes and cucumbers after one year in operation of the Hydroponic Trial and Demonstration Centre, established to test local greenhouse technologies, nutrient management and best horticultural practices.
During the trials the parties have succeeded in their main objective of developing a sustainable crop management system suited for the Qatari climate with high yields and productivity while conserving precious local water resources and limiting any negative impact of vegetables production on the local environment.
The Trial and Demonstration Centre, with a growing area of 3,750sq m, is situated on a plot at Agrico Farm in Al Khor. The facility was designed and built by Agrico using technology, knowledge and expertise accumulated during 10 years of experience operating in protected agriculture in Qatar.
The centre is jointly operated by Agrico and Yara Agronomists while Qafco gives full agricultural analytical support for substrate, water and leaves testing in the Qafco Lab in Mesaieed.
All crops in the Trial and Demonstration Centre are grown hydroponically, a method of growing fruits and vegetables without the use of natural soil. The crops are grown in substrate (for example coco coir, perlite, and rock wool) that is constantly fed with nutrient solutions.
This way of growing reduces the risk of plants being exposed to soil diseases and allows saving of water, fertilisers and agro-chemicals.
All plants are constantly fed with nutrient solution via a drip irrigation system that precisely combines water and required nutrients.
The nutrient solution is prepared from Yara’s fertilisers and is tailored for each crop and each stage of growth.
Multiple training sessions and workshops were conducted at the Centre for the local farming community, farm developers and industry regulators. The Centre has also held workshops on agriculture and hydroponics for schools and other interested institutions.
Qafco, Agrico and Yara share the data generated during the trials including nutrient regimes, climate conditions and crop monitoring, as well as other lessons learned from the Trial and Demonstration Centre, to educate and support Qatari farmers. The full report from the trials can be downloaded from Agrico and Qafco website.
Qafco managing director and CEO Abdulrahman M al-Suwaidi, said the trial and demonstration centre will help develop as well as educate local farmers of the best available practices that can help them produce more while sustaining Qatar’s local resources.
Agrico general manager Nasser al-Khalaf expressed: “During the first year of the trials we have demonstrated great results, the best agronomical knowledge and cultivation practices to the local farming community. We are happy to share our experience and the lessons learned with all interested parties to contribute to the development of farming in Qatar with the goal to achieve self-sufficiency in fresh vegetable production”.
Yara’s agronomist Carol Khadra observed that the achieved yields of more than 30kg per sq m is a great proof to other farmers what is possible to produce in Qatar climate with application of right nutrients, fertigation methods and crop management practices.
“I am very proud to contribute to the success of the first year of the trial and I am aiming for better results next year”.
A section of a bumper tomato crop at Agrico Farm in Al Khor.
