Berlin-based Infarm opening mega farm in Qatar next year: CEO

Berlin-based Infarm opening mega farm in Qatar next year: CEO

Berlin-based Infarm, a rapidly growing urban farming entity with a global presence and whose large farm is fast coming up in Doha, on Wednesday said Qatar has the potential to become an agricultural centre and an exporter in the sector.

"Qatar has the potential to become an agricultural centre", just like it is now the economic centre in the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) region, Etez Galonska, founder and chief executive of Infarm told the concluding day of the second Qatar Economic Forum, powered by Bloomberg.

Qatar, which imports substantially from elsewhere, has unique opportunities to transform the farm sector to produce fresh local products; thereby enhancing the country capacity turn into exporter in entirety, he said.

"We are working on a mega farm in Qatar to be opened next year. We are excited about its prospects," he added.

Infarm, which last year raised $200mn from global investors, including the Qatar Investment Authority, will open its first growing centre (GC) in Qatar, where it will harvest tomatoes, strawberries and other fruiting crops besides herbs, salads and leafy greens.

The Infarm's plans come concomitant with the country's plans to enhance self-reliance wherever possible in order to eschew exigent risks in an uncertain world.

QIA had last year said