Qatar trials Korean greenhouse technology to boost food security
New methods tested by Hassad Food aim to extend growing seasons and strengthen national supply.
QATAR – Qatar is testing advanced Korean greenhouse technology that could extend the agricultural season and improve national food security.
Hassad Food Company, the country’s main food and agribusiness investment arm, has launched a project that combines greenhouse coverings, humidity-based irrigation, and renewable energy. The coverings reduce internal heat and allow crops to grow for longer periods.
“This technology lowers the heat inside greenhouses, which benefits plant growth by extending the production season. Instead of the usual four to five months, we expect the growing period to last significantly longer,” said Mubarak Rashid Al-Sahuti, Chief Communication and Commercial Affairs Officer at Hassad Food, in an interview with Qatar TV.
The system relies on advanced sensors that measure air and soil conditions. The research team will review the results at the end of the trial to decide which materials are best suited for wider use.
Farming with air and sun
Hassad Food has also developed a pilot project for leafy vegetable production with one of Qatar’s leading research centres. The system collects humidity from the atmosphere and uses it for irrigation.
“These leafy greens are literally grown from humidity in the air,” Al-Sahuti explained. “This project is the first of its kind in Qatar. We aim to prove that our country is capable of producing the finest types of vegetables using modern, resource-efficient methods.”
Each square meter of the greenhouse yields 50 to 100 kilograms of leafy vegetables every nine weeks, depending on the crop type.
About 30 percent of operations use solar energy. All processes are monitored digitally, with tablets giving full control over irrigation, temperature, and nutrients.
“The early results are promising,” Al-Sahuti said. “This supports Qatar’s broader sustainability and environmental protection goals under the Qatar National Vision 2030.”
Food security beyond self-sufficiency
Hassad Food’s strategy goes beyond domestic production. Al-Sahuti noted that Qatar has already achieved self-sufficiency in poultry and dairy and seasonal self-sufficiency in vegetables.
“However, food security is broader, it means ensuring that food is always available within the country, regardless of global disruptions. This requires robust storage infrastructure and diverse sourcing strategies,” he said.
To reinforce this, Hassad Food has built 25 modern grain storage facilities with a combined capacity of more than 320,000 tons of wheat and barley. Each unit can store around 12,000 tons while maintaining strict quality standards.
“These modern storage systems, built locally by Qatari expertise, offer higher capacity and better environmental control than traditional silos,” Al-Sahuti added.
With these steps, Hassad Food continues to strengthen Qatar’s ability to secure its food supply. “We have moved beyond mere self-sufficiency. Today, Qatar stands at a proud and advanced stage of true food security – where our nation’s food supply is secured, sustained, and produced with innovation on our own soil,” Al-Sahuti said.
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