Page 13 - Vol.36-No.9 issue

IRRIGATION

GROWING SUSTAINABLE VEGETABLES IN THE SAUDI

ARABIAN DESERT UNDER 80 HECTARES OF GLASS

ferent locations on time”, says Wim van
Weele, sales export manager at Debets
Schalke. “We are responsible for the
entire greenhouse complex; from engi-
neering to final commissioning. After the
realization the Dutch Venlo greenhouses
contribute to facilitating the hydropon-
ic cultivation of cucumbers, tomatoes
and peppers in every possible way. I am
proud that we can contribute to Vision
2030 and food independence with these
Dava Corporation, owned by the Al large-scale turn-key greenhouse proj-
Batal family, recently signed a new deal ects”, says Wim. Technology
with Debets Schalke for the expansion
of Dava’s greenhouse complexes in the Self-sufficient “Growing conditions in the Kingdom
Al-Kharj region. In response to increased of Saudi Arabia are difficult. The climate
demand for fresh premium quality vege- In the Netherlands alone,138 million is dry and warm, but with the realization
tables, Dava Corporation is announcing a euros worth of fruit and vegetables were of the 80 hectare greenhouse complex-
series of greenhouse projects designed exported to the Kingdom of Saudi Ara- es we have the strength to meet the lo-
to provide sustainably farmed and local- bia in 2019. According to experts, global cal demand for quality vegetables and
ly grown vegetables. Dava corporation food production will have to double by create jobs. Dutch knowledge is mainly
already entered into a partnership with 2050. Therefore food safety is high on used in the development and realiza-
Debets Schalke for a 44 hectares green- the KSA agenda, all the more so because tion of these cultivation complexes. We
house complex in 2019. Together with local production is severely limited by a are undergoing an essential shift to a
the 36 hectares expansion it will own 80 chronic freshwater shortage. The water technology-assisted agricultural mod-
hectares of glass acreage. The deal is usage per kilo of tomatoes grown in a el to meet the consumers demand for
part of the Vision 2030 that contributes high-tech greenhouse is 8 liters. While a affordable, premium-quality food. The
to sustainable developments in the King- kilo of tomatoes grown in an open field large-scale greenhouse complexes will
dom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). has a water usage of 60 liters. Growing improve food safety in the Kingdom of
under glass is therefore also essential Saudi Arabia, but the innovation will
Turn-key greenhouse project for sustainable water usage. For that have benefits far beyond its borders.
reason it is at least as important for food Our geographic position between key
The Dava project, which will cover more safety to reduce food losses or increase global waterways makes the Kingdom
than 80 hectares, is spread over 5 high sustainable food production. of Saudi Arabia an epicenter of trade
technology greenhouse projects. At this and the gateway to the world. When you
moment the construction is in full swing. Local-for-local combine the local abundance of sunlight
The first greenhouse project is almost with energy and water efficient climate
completed and the second greenhouse With the start of the Dava greenhouse control systems the greenhouses make a
project is at an advanced stage. Debets complex in 2019, Dava corporation start- compelling case as it will be able to sup-
Schalke has started the engineering and ed to provide the 44 hectare greenhouse ply a huge part of the Middle East,” ads
delivering of the greenhouse materials facilities with technology to allow agri- Mr. Faisal Al Batal.
for the other 3 greenhouse projects at culture to flourish in the tough environ-
the different locations in the Al-Kharj re- ment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
gion. Groundwork is completed at these The expansion to 80 hectares of green-
projects. “Plans for the massive expan- house glass underlines the need for lo-
sion were already on the table before the cal-for-local vegetables. The CoVid19
CoVid19 outbreak. The global outbreak pandemic has further highlighted the
underlined the importance of food inde- importance of self-sufficiency. Airfreight
pendence and food safety. Of course, the rates were sky-high and it was difficult to
CoVid19 outbreak meant we also had to import premium fruit and vegetables for
be inventive in order to remotely super- a reasonable price.
vise the greenhouse project with an eye
for detail. Working remotely requires Vision 2030 Job opening
extra attention to all parts of the green- “We are experiencing dynamic
house project. We also faced logistic Mr. Faisal Al Batal, owner of Dava Co- growth”, says Mr. Faisal Al Batal. “We
challenges, but despite everything we operation, says, “This is an exciting time have a job opening for an experienced
managed to get everything to the dif- for Dava. Our rapid growth has present- CEO, ideally with in-house horticultural
ed real challenges like the construction experience, who will take the strategic
of the 5 greenhouse projects at once and and operational lead for our multiple
the numerous people that we are cur- greenhouses in the KSA area. We need
rently recruiting for all aspects of our a CEO who is able to quickly adapt to a
agricultural business. The proposed ex- different cultural style and personal peo-
pansion of our greenhouse complexes ple management. Dava’s CEO must have
are a necessary part of ensuring for the a strategic leadership approach, one
longer term that we can continue to pros- that respects loyalty and engenders trust
per and create high quality jobs in the whilst remaining highly results driven
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, just as vision and focused on success.
2030 obliges us to do.”
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Vol. 36 No. 9 11