Hydroponic systems to sustainably grow feed for sheep
Innovation Type:
Water-Food
Product Segment:
Water – Re-use/Efficiency
Country of Incorporation:
Iraq
Country of Implementation:
Iraq
Company Stage:
Stage 3: 1,001 to 10,000 end-users
Seeking Investment:
Yes, $500,000 USD
Financing Goals:
Seeking equity (angel investor, venture capital or private equity)
Contact Name:
Mohammed Andan Abdullah
Contact Email:
Challenges
Cultivating barley in cropland consumes a large amount of water which accordingly leads to a high energy consumption. In fact, a fully grown barley plant will take one entire season to be ready for harvest, so the value chain of cultivating barley comes with a high cost that is not suitable for farmers and livestock traders. Therefore, the price of meat will be affected and becomes excessively high when compared to the purchasing power of the average Iraqi consumer.
Solutions
Dhiaa Al-Alamiyah started growing barley in hydroponic systems in Mosul province. This reduces the production period for 500 kg of fully grown fodder to only 8 days, without compromising on the nutritional value and quality of crop land.
