Key Takeaways
- Topian, a NEOM food company, has opened a four-hectare high-tech greenhouse in Oxagon, NEOM’s industrial city on the Red Sea coast.
- The greenhouse is designed to test sustainable food production methods using advanced technologies and localized solutions.
- Initial trials will focus on optimizing crop productivity and quality while minimizing resource use, including water and energy.
- The facility is part of Oxagon Innovation Bay, a hub for developing climate-resilient and sustainable industries.
- The greenhouse was developed in collaboration with Van der Hoeven, a Dutch horticultural technology firm.
Goals of the TOPIAN Greenhouse
The new facility aims to evaluate and improve methods for producing fresh produce in arid regions. The greenhouse will explore:
- Climate Control: Modulating environmental parameters such as temperature and radiation to optimize plant growth.
- Cooling Technologies: Testing systems to enhance energy and water efficiency.
- Crop Trials: Assessing various fruits and vegetables, including lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries, to determine their performance under local conditions.
The project is part of a broader effort to provide year-round, locally grown produce for NEOM residents and partners.
Leadership Commentary
Dr. Juan Carlos Motamayor, CEO of Topian, stated: “This first set of high-tech greenhouses allows us to produce almost four thousand tons of fruit and vegetables while developing AI-driven predictive models to inform future operations in the region.”
Vishal Wanchoo, CEO of Oxagon, noted: “This pilot is designed to deliver locally produced ingredients and demonstrate the potential for a fully localized supply chain within NEOM.”
Testbed for Sustainable Agriculture
The greenhouse serves as a platform for testing advanced agricultural practices and technologies. It aims to support the development of efficient and environmentally conscious food production systems, with a focus on adapting to local conditions in arid regions.
Collaboration with Van der Hoeven (Profile) brought expertise in horticultural technology to the project, ensuring the integration of advanced systems for optimized operations.
