A visit to the Emirates Hydroponic Farms

Merryland students visited Emirates Hydroponics Farms that continues to promote high quality produce that can be grown within the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E) whilst utilizing the modern water saving techniques of European technologies and management. Growing fruits and vegetables is rapidly increasing its professional level all over the world and becoming highly specialized in today’s economy.

With quality crop management it’s possible to increase both production and quality. Merryland students got the introduction into modern farming techniques, with clean and ethical farming practices to produce fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables that is classed as amongst the best available anywhere within the world.

Hydroponics is a technique of growing plants in nutrient rich water without the help of soil. The basic set up is made with plastic pipes which are connected to a water tank where the nutrient mixed water is continuously recycled. The seeds are sown in special medium made of Rockwool or Cocopede and are kept moist till it is germinated. Usually 5 to 7 days are taken for germination.

After 15 to 20 days these baby plants along with the Rockwool base are transferred to the special holes made in the plastic pipe, through which the nutrient water is continuously circulated. The temperature of 23˚c is regulated in the green house by employing cooling pads and chiller technology. A period of 35 to 50 days will bring in a rich harvest of fruits and vegetables which is free from any pesticide.

The main advantages of this technique are conservation of water, higher productivity using minimum resources, maximum utilization of available space – as vertical farming technology is used.

Students loved the vine-ripened hothouse tomatoes, pest-free lettuce and cucumbers, and a myriad of vegetables grown commercially in greenhouses.