Qatar Chamber first vice-chairman Mohamed bin Towar al-Kuwari has opened the first-ever aquaponics internal farm for Agrico Agricultural Development at Carrefour inside City Center Doha.
The opening ceremony was attended by Agrico chairman Ahmed al-Khalaf and managing director Nasser Ahmed al-Khalaf, as well as a number of businessmen.
In a related statement, Carrefour Qatar announced the launch of its first aquaponic farm at its City Center outlet in Doha's West Bay, in line with its "sustainability strategy and commitment to environmental protection".
The all-new initiative comes in co-operation with Agrico Qatar, a well-established Qatari-owned and managed leader in the sustainable agriculture industry.
Agrico has developed this national agricultural project, which depends on the recent aquaponics technologies, which is considered one of the smartest and most sustainable agricultural systems, according to a Qatar Chamber statement.
Aquaponics is a form of agriculture that combines raising fish in tanks with soilless plant culture. In aquaponics, the nutrient-rich water from raising fish provides a natural fertiliser for the plants, while the plants help to purify the water for the fish.
The farm’s expected production capacity is about 32,000 tonnes of various types of vegetables annually. The project was initially launched on a 4,000sqm area featuring a horizontal indoor farming system.
"With this milestone, Carrefour Qatar highlights the importance of sustainable solutions in the fresh food industry by providing alternatives to conventional farming, one being the aquaponic ecosystem for plant and food production. The aquaponic farming
initiative by Agrico Qatar aims to witness remarkable saving of agriculture water and farmland, in turn promoting sustainable agriculture among communities," the Carrefour Qatar statement noted.
Al-Kuwari praised the modern technologies used in this type of agriculture. He said, “This provides new possibilities for those who want to invest in the agricultural sector, away from the challenges of soil and water availability. This project supports the state's efforts to enhance food security.”
Laurent Hausknecht, Carrefour’s regional director, said: “At Carrefour Qatar, our focus is on delivering exceptional value for all our
customers through every experience. Also, we strive to set the standard for sustainable, responsible, and self-sufficient business. In this light, and with our customers and sustainability in mind, we see the benefits of agri-tech innovations such as closed-field
produce vertical farming, or aquaponic farming. This type of sustainable farming allows year-round farming, consumes 90% less water, 90% less land and uses no pesticides or chemicals. Thus, we have decided to reinforce our leadership position in the market
by being the first to invest in aquaponic farming, the first of its kind in the retail sector in Qatar.”
Nasser Ahmed al-Khalaf, managing director of Agrico, said: “We are proud pioneers in aquaponics farming in Qatar, and it is a
positive step to have developed a sample of our farm in a retail store, and joining Carrefour Qatar in this initiative. This will help in educating consumers on how Agrico manages and produces its crops organically in Qatar, in a smart and sustainable way.”
The Ministry of Municipality’s Public Parks Department added in a statement: “We would like to thank Carrefour Qatar for this project, which comes in tandem with the Ministry of Municipality strategy endorsing sustainable agriculture practices such as aquaponic farming. Carrefour Qatar’s aquaponic farm sets a good example, meets our sustainability objectives, and gives visitors of City Center Doha mall an opportunity to see an actual in-store vertical aquaponic farm producing healthy and nutritional vegetables. We encourage the public to try vertical farming in their neighbourhoods and on their rooftops.”
In a related statement, Carrefour Qatar announced the launch of its first aquaponic farm at its City Center outlet in Doha's West Bay, in line with its "sustainability strategy and commitment to environmental protection".
The all-new initiative comes in co-operation with Agrico Qatar, a well-established Qatari-owned and managed leader in the sustainable agriculture industry.
Agrico has developed this national agricultural project, which depends on the recent aquaponics technologies, which is considered one of the smartest and most sustainable agricultural systems, according to a Qatar Chamber statement.
Aquaponics is a form of agriculture that combines raising fish in tanks with soilless plant culture. In aquaponics, the nutrient-rich water from raising fish provides a natural fertiliser for the plants, while the plants help to purify the water for the fish.
The farm’s expected production capacity is about 32,000 tonnes of various types of vegetables annually. The project was initially launched on a 4,000sqm area featuring a horizontal indoor farming system.
"With this milestone, Carrefour Qatar highlights the importance of sustainable solutions in the fresh food industry by providing alternatives to conventional farming, one being the aquaponic ecosystem for plant and food production. The aquaponic farming
initiative by Agrico Qatar aims to witness remarkable saving of agriculture water and farmland, in turn promoting sustainable agriculture among communities," the Carrefour Qatar statement noted.
Al-Kuwari praised the modern technologies used in this type of agriculture. He said, “This provides new possibilities for those who want to invest in the agricultural sector, away from the challenges of soil and water availability. This project supports the state's efforts to enhance food security.”
Laurent Hausknecht, Carrefour’s regional director, said: “At Carrefour Qatar, our focus is on delivering exceptional value for all our
customers through every experience. Also, we strive to set the standard for sustainable, responsible, and self-sufficient business. In this light, and with our customers and sustainability in mind, we see the benefits of agri-tech innovations such as closed-field
produce vertical farming, or aquaponic farming. This type of sustainable farming allows year-round farming, consumes 90% less water, 90% less land and uses no pesticides or chemicals. Thus, we have decided to reinforce our leadership position in the market
by being the first to invest in aquaponic farming, the first of its kind in the retail sector in Qatar.”
Nasser Ahmed al-Khalaf, managing director of Agrico, said: “We are proud pioneers in aquaponics farming in Qatar, and it is a
positive step to have developed a sample of our farm in a retail store, and joining Carrefour Qatar in this initiative. This will help in educating consumers on how Agrico manages and produces its crops organically in Qatar, in a smart and sustainable way.”
The Ministry of Municipality’s Public Parks Department added in a statement: “We would like to thank Carrefour Qatar for this project, which comes in tandem with the Ministry of Municipality strategy endorsing sustainable agriculture practices such as aquaponic farming. Carrefour Qatar’s aquaponic farm sets a good example, meets our sustainability objectives, and gives visitors of City Center Doha mall an opportunity to see an actual in-store vertical aquaponic farm producing healthy and nutritional vegetables. We encourage the public to try vertical farming in their neighbourhoods and on their rooftops.”