1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

ICARDA Institutional Knowledge Management Initiative

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) - Lebanon

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

The technology integrates off-grid soil-less cultivation within a net house, utilizing solar-powered root zone cooling and ultra-low energy irrigation, thus significantly enhancing water and energy efficiency for sustainable agriculture in arid regions. This innovation is a key contribution within the Water-Energy-Food Nexus, addressing the unique challenges of food production in the Middle East.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Achieving food production and food security in the Middle East is challenging due to the region's arid climate. Net houses and greenhouses offer potential solutions by improving water efficiency and providing better climate control. However, traditional greenhouses require substantial water and energy inputs. This challenge is directly linked to the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus, which offers integrated solutions to these interconnected needs.
In 2022, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) began experimenting with various greenhouse models in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to develop an optimal WEF solution. The outcome of these experiments is a water- and energy-efficient “net house” with several advantages.
One major issue with conventional greenhouses is their high water use due to the inefficiency of traditional soil bed systems. ICARDA’s research highlighted that simplified closed soil-less production systems can reduce irrigation water needs by more than 50%. These systems also offer additional benefits, including shorter cropping cycles, no risk of soil degradation or contamination, higher resource efficiency, and lower operational costs, as they eliminate the need for sterilization, soil cultivation, base fertilizers, and weed control.
Traditional greenhouses typically use pads and fans for cooling, but these systems have significant drawbacks. They are costly, require frequent maintenance and replacements, and consume a large amount of electricity. It's also noteworthy that most Gulf countries have recently increased their electricity prices. One approach to reducing cooling needs is to use a net house instead of a traditional greenhouse, combined with ventilators.
Another factor contributing to high energy consumption in traditional greenhouses is the use of conventional drip irrigation systems. In collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), ICARDA researched energy-efficient drip irrigation systems, leading to the development of Ultra Low Energy (ULE) drippers. These drippers reduce pumping energy by 80%, which in turn lowers the number of solar panels required, making the system more cost-effective.
The efficient WEF Nexus solution proposed by ICARDA comprises five key technologies:
1.Closed soil-less production system: A hydroponic system with fertigation.
2.Net house: A structure that allows airflow while protecting crops from insects and adverse weather.
3.Ultra-low pressure irrigation system
4.Root zone cooling: In soil-less systems, cooling the root zone is easier and more cost-effective through ventilation.
5.Low-cost solar energy: The rapid decline in the cost of solar panels enhances the system's affordability.

This case study focuses on irrigation and fertigation solar powered solution with a Hybrid AC/DC root zone cooling. It is hybrid, which implies that there are no batteries to keep the house running at night and when sunshine is insufficient, it takes electricity from the grid. Compared to conventional cooled greenhouses, the net house measuring 8x30 meters offer multiple benefits compared with traditional greenhouses:
•Energy savings of 80% to 90%
•Extended production periods without any reduction in yield or quality
•Significantly lower costs
•Dramatically improved water productivity
•A 14% increase in net returns and a 28% reduction in costs.

This innovation demonstrates the effectiveness and necessity of integrated Water-Energy-Food strategies and contributes to a more water, energy, and food-secure Middle East.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.4 Videos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• less than 10 years ago (recently)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• through land users' innovation
• during experiments/ research
• through projects/ external interventions

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Greenhouse and net houses were already present.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• adapt to climate change/ extremes and its impacts
• mitigate climate change and its impacts
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

No

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• full irrigation

Comments:

Hydroponic system

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• integrated soil fertility management
• irrigation management (incl. water supply, drainage)
• energy efficiency technologies

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

A7: Soil-less cultivation

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

Comments:

The net house protects soils and crops from wind and water erosion. By soil-less cultivation and rootzone cooling, less water is required hence it indirectly addresses the decline in water resources.

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation
• adapt to land degradation

Comments:

The net house is an adaptive measure to LD however, by its higher energy- and water efficiency it indirectly prevents further degradation.

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology unit

other/ national currency (specify):

Dirham

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

3.67

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Other	Net house structure	total	1.0	25000.0	25000.0
Other	Irrigation system	total	1.0	2015.0	2015.0
Other	Root Zone Cooling	total	1.0	5000.0	5000.0
Other	Hydroponic system	total	1.0	3000.0	3000.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					35015.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					9540.87

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The project

Comments:

Cost show total cost for that specific components hence it includes aspects such as materials and installation (i.e., labour).

The hybrid AC/DC system, which uses electricity from the grid when sunlight is insufficient and shuts down at night, eliminates the need for batteries. Off-grid systems, by contrast, require at least four batteries, each priced at a minimum of $200. Additionally, the off-grid setup requires five extra solar panels, costing $150 each. As a result, the hybrid system reduces investment costs by $1,550.

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Planting cucumber	September
2.	Harvesting cucumber	May

Comments:

Because of the root zone cooling the cucumber can grow for a longer period. Without root zone cooling the harvest is in April.

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour	Person-Days	2.0	800.0	1600.0
Plant material	Cucumber seeds	seeds	800.0	0.3	240.0
Fertilizers and biocides	NPK (12-12-36 + TE)	20 kg bag	2.0	200.0	400.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Magnesium sulfate	20 kg bag	1.0	60.0	60.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Calcium Nitrate	20 kg bag	2.0	200.0	400.0
Fertilizers and biocides	Pesticides	Liter	1.0	106.0	106.0
Other	Water	cubic meter	40.0	3.13	125.2
Other	Energy (electricity)	kWh	1344.0	0.045	60.48
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					2991.68
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					815.17

If land user bore less than 100% of costs, indicate who covered the remaining costs:

The project

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The most important costs factor making this innovation more cost effective than the conventionally cooled greenhouses is energy cost and water cost. For the conventionally cooled greenhouses these costs are respectively 302 and 680.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

SLM is soil less.

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

Yes

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled
• individual, titled

Land use rights:

• individual

Water use rights:

• individual

Are land use rights based on a traditional legal system?

Yes

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Specify assessment of on-site impacts (measurements):

Assessments are based on expert judgement and available reports

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Gradual climate change

Gradual climate change

	Season	increase or decrease	How does the Technology cope with it?
annual temperature		increase	very well
seasonal temperature	dry season	increase	very well
annual rainfall		decrease	moderately

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• 1-10%

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 0-10%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Higher water use efficiency
Higher energy efficiency and better use of solar energy
Shortened cropping season without quantity or quality penalties
More cost effective
Increased net farm income
Non-reliant on fluctuating and increasing energy prices

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
High investment costs	The fully off-grid system is significantly more expensive. In contrast, the hybrid system—without batteries, shutting down at night, and drawing electricity from the grid when needed—has substantially lower investment costs due to requiring fewer solar panels and no batteries.
High technical skills required	The hydroponic system and improved electrical system require additional expertise. This challenge can be addressed by building capacity and providing education to extension services.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Arash Nejatian, Muthir Al Rawahy, Abdoul Aziz Niane, Amal Hassan Al Ahmadi, Vinay Nangia, Boubaker Dhehibi. (11/7/2024). Renewable Energy and Net House Integration for Sustainable Cucumber Crop Production in the Arabian Peninsula: Extending Growing Seasons and Reducing Resource Use. Journal of Sustainability Reseach, 6 (3).

URL:

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/69396

Title/ description:

Arash Nejatian (Producer, Director), Abdoul Aziz Niane, Vinay Nangia. (30/6/2023). Solar Powered Net House.

URL:

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/69293

Title/ description:

Arash Nejatian, Abdoul Aziz Niane, Vinay Nangia, Amal Hassan Al Ahmadi, Tahra Naqbi, Haliema Ibrahim, Mohamed Ahmed Hamdan Al Dhanhani. (16/6/2023). Enhancing Controlled Environment Agriculture in Desert Ecosystems with AC/DC Hybrid Solar Technology. International Journal of Energy Production and Management, 8 (2), pp. 107-114.

URL:

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/68508

Title/ description:

Arash Nejatian, Abdoul Aziz Niane. (31/5/2023). Net House Powered by Solar Energy.

URL:

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/69304

Title/ description:

Arash Nejatian, Abdoul Aziz Niane. (29/10/2022). Solar Energy Powered Net-House with Root Zone Cooling Hydroponic System. Beirut, Lebanon: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).

URL:

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11766/67736