The Saudi Arabian company Dava Agricultural is further expanding its greenhouse acreage, by entering into a contract for a new semi-closed greenhouse of 23 hectares to be built with long-term partner Debets Schalke.
Owned by the Al-Batal family, Dava’s greenhouse complexes, located in the Al-Kharj region, including the new project will cover over 110 hectares and are spread over six different locations in Saudi Arabia. At the end of this month, 30 hectares will be in operation and at the end of this year another 40 hectares will be full with vegetable plants.
“In 2019 we started with the construction of the first greenhouse complexes in collaboration with Debets Schalke. Dava was a start-up in the agricultural sector, but we are now a solid organization, a thriving company with an ambitious vision and our location is right at the crossroads of important international trade routes between three continents: Asia, Europe and Africa,” said Faisal Al-Batal, owner of Dava. “As a pioneer in the Middle East, Debets Schalke is able to realize high-tech greenhouse projects suitable for the local climate conditions. The greenhouses offer the opportunity to grow vegetables year-round in an energy-efficient way. Knowledge exchange between the Dutch horticultural sector and Dava is essential for further development in the field of horticulture in Saudi Arabia.”
Dava stated the expansion contributes to Saudi Vision 2030, a strategic framework to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil, diversify the economy, and develop public service sectors and sustainable food production.
Photo: A 20-hectare semi-closed glass greenhouse project under construction for Dava in Saudi-Arabia. Credit: Debets Schalke
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