In July 2019, the Office of Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies (VPRGS), Qatar University (QU), with sponsor Marubeni Corporation (a major Japanese diversified trading and investment business conglomerate), signed an agreement with Chiyoda Corporation Japan and Chiyoda Almana Engineering Qatar, to establish the Vegetable Factory for research purposes. The project, located at the Agricultural Research Station (ARS) permanent site, 70 km from Doha city center, was jointly implemented by ARS and the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD). The Vegetable Factory Project was one among many ongoing collaborations between Qatar University and Marubeni Cooperation.
As part of this agreement, Chiyoda Corporation (a global reliable engineering firm) was awarded the engineering and procurement work of the hydroponic cultivation systems and equipment, while Chiyoda Almana Engineering (the local subsidiary of Chiyoda Corporation in Qatar) was engaged for the equipment’s transportation, assembly, and installation work.
The project offers an opportunity to explore a new technologically advanced solution to meet Qatar’s national food security challenges. The project introduced hydroponic cultivation with artificial lighting in a controlled and clean environment. All components, including cultivation equipment, remote monitoring system, seeds, and fertilizers, were imported from Japan. The technology supports year-round cultivation even in adverse weather conditions and at a short turnaround period. The full automated and remotely controlled cultivation system considers and regulates various environmental parameters to achieve fast vegetable growth within 30 days.
The technology used has proven the capability to steadily produce high-quality vegetables year-round.
Test Cultivation started in early October 2022 by, the facility’s end user, Qatar University, with technical advice and support from Chiyoda Corporation. The cultivation covered the full cycle, from seeding to harvesting, to enable the University to take independent operations of the factory. The cultivation harvest was carried out in the first week of November 2022. y early November 2022, the first indicating the successful implementation of the project.
Qatar University and partners Chiyoda Corporation and Chiyoda Almana Engineering take pride in the successful completion of this project. QU’s ARS will utilize the factory as a research and reference facility to support Qatar’s Food security agenda, in line with the state’s National Vision, “Qatar National Vision (QNV) 2030″.

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