Topian, the sustainable food company at Saudi Arabia‘s Neom giga-project, has opened its first climate-resilient greenhouse.
The four-hectare greenhouse is located in Oxagon, Neom’s reimagined industrial city on the Red Sea coast, and will enable Topian to produce food in an environmentally friendly way for guests and residents of Neom.
The facility was created as part of Topian’s mission to redefine food production through innovative and sustainable solutions.
These include climate-proof agriculture, regenerative aquaculture, novel foods, personalised nutrition, sustainable food supply, and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG).
In a pilot project, Topian will work to optimise productivity and crop quality in the greenhouse while minimising inputs like water and energy.
Juan Carlos Motamayor, CEO of Topian, said: “This project is exciting because this first set of high-tech greenhouses enables us to control the climate for plant growth in an environmentally friendly manner, producing almost 4,000 tons of fruit and vegetables, while developing AI-driven predictive models for the operation of more efficient greenhouses elsewhere in the region.
“It represents a positive step towards boosting regional and national food security and transforming food systems in Saudi Arabia and other arid regions affected by climate change.”
Vishal Wanchoo, CEO of Oxagon, added: “This pilot aims to deliver, at scale, sustainably produced ingredients that Neom residents and hospitality partners will be able to use – demonstrating an entirely localized ‘farm-to-table’ supply chain.
Sustainable food production at Neom
“Together with Topian, we are taking the next step in utilizing clean technology to change industry for the better.”
The construction of Neom’s agricultural asset was achieved through an international partnership with Van der Hoeven, a Dutch pioneer in horticultural technology.
Neom, Saudi Arabia’s $500 billion giga-project, includes destinations such as The Line, billed as a zero-carbon city with “vertically layered” buildings for work, living and leisure.
Neom’s first destination, a luxury resort named Sindalah, opened in October.
Images courtesy of Neom
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