Could hydroponic farming save Egypt? Hydroponic (or soilless) farming could be the answer to Egypt’s growing water shortage as well as the continuously shrinking size of the country’s arable land base, Agritech startups told Enterprise. There are now at least 25 companies in the industry in Egypt — a sector, we note, that was virgin territory just seven years ago.

Why is hydroponic farming perfect for Egypt? We have sun all year round, enjoy a perfect geographical location for exports, and hydroponic farming uses 95% less water than traditional agriculture, said Adel Shentenawy, CEO of Hydrofarms. Founded seven years ago, Hydrofarms provides turnkey projects, training programs as well as marketing services. Unlike traditional farming, hydroponic farming also makes it possible to grow a larger variety of produce and is not reliant on seasons, Shentenawy said. The produce is also pesticide-free, he noted.

Gov’t enthusiastic, but moving slowly: Successive governments have shown enthusiasm for hydroponic farming, industry players tell us, seeing it as part of a food security drive and as a potential export powerhouse. But key government projects have stalled, including the 100k greenhouses projects (a component of the 1.5 mn feddans megaproject). Industry insiders put it down to a lack of know-how, which the private sector is stepping in to fill. They are looking forward to working with the government on creating an “expert committee” to regulate the sector and collect data, they told us.

Changing the mindset of traditional agriculture will grow the industry: Training and education programs can go a long way in creating a culture where hydroponic farming is embraced and practiced outside of commercial use. Organizing school workshops to teach children the method and benefits of hydroponic farming is one of the ways Al Bustani has adopted to spread the culture, said CEO and co-founder Houssam Aboul Fotouh. The company, which has worked on projects in cooperation with Food and Agriculture Organization and the Operational Unit for Development Assistance, is currently working on developing an app to monitor hydroponic systems by using sensors.