QRDI Council Launches New ‘Open Innovation Opportunity’ with Hassad Food
Hassad Food seeks innovative technologies to commercially produce lettuce using indoor farming techniques, aligning with its sustainability mission
The flagship programme of Qatar Research, Development and Innovation Council (QRDI) – Qatar Open Innovation (QOI) – recently launched an Open Innovation Opportunity of proposing technologies to produce lettuce using indoor farming, in cooperation with Hassad Food Company.
Through its Innovation Opportunities, QRDI Council has partnered with Hassad Food, a Qatar Investment Authority subsidiary, investing globally and locally in food and agribusiness. It supports food security, owns subsidiaries and has strategic holdings in farming, poultry, animal feed, dates processing, dairy, and livestock. Hassad is also actively involved in crisis management and research.
Commenting on the launch, Haya Al-Ghanim of QRDI Council’s RDI Programs, said they are excited to partner with Hassad Food in their pursuit of innovative technologies that promote sustainable agriculture and enhance food security. She said that indoor farming holds tremendous potential in addressing the challenges posed by arid conditions and limited resources.
Through this collaboration, Al-Ghanim said they aim to develop commercially viable solutions for lettuce production, leveraging the expertise and ingenuity of technology developers and agricultural innovators.
Together, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient future in agriculture.
Significant strides towards sustainability
The joint initiative between QRDI Council and Hassad Food signifies a significant stride towards sustainable agriculture and the circular economy. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and embracing innovative farming practices, the project aims to enhance food security and optimize resource utilization, aligning with Qatar’s strategic mission to manage its environmental, food, and water resources sustainably.
The Hassad Food opportunity is entitled Commercially Viable Indoor Farming of Lettuce in Arid Conditions.
Demand for innovative farming is increasing due to food security concerns, limited land and high CO2 costs. Indoor farming is popular worldwide for efficient resource management and high-quality food. The concept is promising for arid regions with limited resources. Advancements in hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics have accelerated its development.
QRDI Council and Hassad Food seek tech for lettuce production using indoor farming, aligned with sustainability goals. The deadline to submit proposals is 6 September 2023.
Hassad Food challenge
Through this collaboration, Hassad Food is actively seeking innovative indoor farming companies and high-performing startups (HPSU) to enable the large-scale production of Romaine and Iceberg lettuce varieties. As part of the collaboration, Hassad Food will provide full access to essential resources such as power, water and required footprints.
The QOI programme has provided a unique opportunity for innovators to collaborate with leading organisations, industry experts and mentors to develop and scale their ideas. The programme previously launched 21 challenge calls in collaboration with various other partners in Qatar.
To learn more about the challenges and to submit your proposals, visit the QRDI portal.
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