In the heart of the arid deserts of Saudi Arabia, a groundbreaking collaboration is set to transform the landscape. NEOM, the ambitious “city of the future,” has joined forces with Dutch greenhouse company Van Der Hoeven to bring lush gardens and sustainable food production to the inhospitable environment. This collaboration marks a significant step towards NEOM’s goal of becoming a self-sustaining oasis and home to millions of residents.
Cultivating Life in the Desert
NEOM’s partnership with Van Der Hoeven aims to establish two test facilities covering a vast 110,000 square-meters on the outskirts of the city. These facilities will serve as the pioneering sites for urban farming, integrating advanced greenhouse technology to create a controlled climate that supports efficient and sustainable food cultivation.
NEOM is a visionary project that encompasses four “megacities,” with its star attraction being THE LINE—a 170-kilometer-long car-free city powered entirely by renewable energy. This collaboration with Van Der Hoeven aligns perfectly with NEOM’s vision of self-sufficiency and innovation.
Leveraging Dutch Expertise in Horticulture
The choice to partner with Dutch greenhouse experts is a strategically wise move for NEOM. Despite its relatively small size, the Netherlands holds the distinction of being the world’s second-largest agricultural exporter, following closely behind the United States. Notably, over half of the Netherlands’ land is dedicated to agriculture, with nearly 24,000 acres occupied by highly efficient greenhouses. These greenhouses require only a fraction of the land area utilized by traditional farming methods.
This technology is particularly promising for Saudi Arabia’s challenging climate. With a heavy reliance on food imports due to local cultivation difficulties and water shortages, the introduction of Dutch-designed greenhouses could revolutionize the nation’s food security. Dutch farms’ remarkable efficiency is evidenced by their ability to grow approximately a pound of tomatoes using just half a gallon of water—a stark contrast to the global average of over 28 gallons.
Greening the Desert with Dutch Expertise
Van Der Hoeven, a global leader in horticultural infrastructure, has taken on the challenge of transforming desert landscapes into flourishing agricultural hubs. The company is a proud member of the Dutch Greenhouse Delta (DGD), a foundation focused on sharing the Netherlands’ agricultural expertise worldwide to facilitate large-scale food production across diverse climates. Van Der Hoeven’s established presence in the Middle East, including successful projects like an 11-hectare tomato nursery in the UAE, underscores its capability to adapt advanced technologies to challenging environments.
Bas Duijvestijn, Sales Director at Van Der Hoeven, acknowledges the unique challenges of desert agriculture but also emphasizes the tremendous potential for greenhouse technology in the Gulf region. The ability to source water through desalination aligns with NEOM’s innovative approach to water management, where salts generated during the desalination process are retained for alternative uses.
Conclusion: A Blossoming Future for NEOM
The collaboration between Saudi Arabia’s NEOM and Dutch greenhouse experts Van Der Hoeven holds the promise of transforming arid desert lands into thriving agricultural landscapes. By harnessing the Netherlands’ prowess in greenhouse technology and adapting it to the Gulf region’s unique challenges, NEOM aims to make significant strides in achieving food security and self-sustainability. As NEOM’s visionary projects continue to take shape, the integration of cutting-edge agricultural solutions represents a key stepping stone towards its ambitious goal of becoming a beacon of innovation and sustainable living.
