"When it comes to greenhouse design and technology, the Netherlands is the global leader, which is why they came to us for a research greenhouse for improved horticulture", says project leader Jouke Campen. Together with Sjaak Bakker (in the photo), he advised on the design of the 3000-metre complex.To save water they opted for a form of air conditioning. "We also assisted in finding and vetting a Dutch greenhouse construction company, and with the research design, choice of seed – mainly tomato, cucumber and bell pepper – and biological pest control," says Campen.
Wageningen UR will continue to help analyse data and provide training for some time. In Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, food will be grown from this March in a greenhouse three times the size of this one, also designed in Wageningen.
