The next gen of MENA greenhouses: Integration, automation, and efficiency
Source: HD.com
"The projects are increasingly being planned as integrated systems that combine structure, climate control, irrigation, fertigation and data infrastructure, rather than as separate technical components added in phases." © Rayyan Future of protected cultivation Ihab explains that greenhouse developments are shifting toward designs that can accommodate automation from the outset. At more advanced levels, robotics and data-driven decision platforms will reduce variability, improve resource use efficiency and support remote operations." Rayyan, also known as Jordan Greenhouses Manufacturing Co., is a family-owned company founded in 1980.
Last year, they realized 213 hectare of greenhouses, including turnkey facilities. "This includes the integration of IoT sensor networks, crop models, analytics platforms and centralized control systems." Over the next five years he expects greenhouse development in the region to place greater focus on water and energy systems.
Wider adoption of automation and data platforms will support yield optimization, labor substitution and predictive maintenance." © Rayyan Irrigation and fertigation Irrigation and fertigation systems are increasingly being combined with greenhouse structures within a single delivery scope. Ihab says: "The technical plan should address crop mix and yield targets, production challenges, energy and water requirements, logistics, structural reliability, irrigation and fertigation, climate control, energy-saving options, future expansion and possible contract farming models.
Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
