Grant Proposal to Al Qamra Holding Group

The Halo Farm Project: Introducing Salt-

Water Aquaponics to Qatar

 List of Applicants

Applicants: Organization: Country:

Sahar Karkoub (Project Manager) TAMUQ Qatar

Sahar Karkoub graduated from the American School of Doha in Qatar. She is currently a second-

year chemical engineering student at Texas A&M University at Qatar.

Jonathan Gumero Texas A&M U.S.A

Jonathan Gumero is currently studying electrical engineering at Texas A&M University. He

plans to get a masters in electrical engineering as well.

Maha Al-Sheeb TAMUQ Qatar

Maha Al-Sheeb is a senior chemical engineering student at Texas A&M University at Qatar. She

previously participated in the Academic Bridge Program in 2014.

Ahmad Sani Bello HBKU Qatar

Ahmad Sani Bello is a senior computer engineering student at Hamad Bin Khalifa University.
Table of Contents:

Abstract ...……………………………..…………………...……………………….………….1
Introduction ...……………………………...…………………………………………………..1
Explanation…………………………………..………………………………………………...1
Environmental Impact…………………………………..……………………………...……...1
Application .…………………………………………………………………………………...2
Investment Costs ………………..……………………..……………………………………...2
Operational Costs (yearly) .…..……………………………………………………………….2
Conclusion .…………………………………………………………………………………...3
References.………………………………..…………..……………………………………....4
Abstract

The Halo Farm project introduces saltwater aquaponics to Qatar. After the blockade of Qatar by
the Gulf countries, the food security problem in Qatar became more apparent. This document
discusses in detail what the Halo Farm project is about, the environmental impacts, benefits and
cost analysis. It is believed that this project will help Qatar get closer to achieving food security.

Introduction
Prior to the blockade, Qatar relied on many countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi
Arabia, Iran, Germany, the United States, and France for about 90% of imported food products
(Suresh). With limited land availability, harsh climate conditions, lack of irrigation water and
other agricultural constraints, Qatar continues to research effective ways to increase local food
production. Over-extraction and seawater intrusion on groundwater resources continues to
increase the salinity levels for aquifers, reducing overall usability (Jackson). As a result, Qatar is
desperately looking for new methods to feed livestock and to cultivate their plants. Our research
project will introduce the potential of growing a symbiotic, saltwater aquaponics farm. We will
observe and analyze the growth and sustainability of the aquaponics farming technique in
Qatar’s environment, with the objective of setting a standardized policy in order to procure
promising results.

Explanation
The Halo Farm project consists of saltwater aquaponics. Aquaponics is the mixture of
aquaculture (fish raising) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil) that together grow fish
and crops in one integrated system. It uses fish waste as nutrients for the plants. This waste
produced from the fish will be converted into nutrients by beneficial, nitrifying bacteria and then
absorbed by the plants as a natural fertilizer. Aquaponics is a representation of the relationship of
aquatic life, water, bacteria, nutrient dynamics and plants that grow in waterways worldwide. It
also imitates a natural ecosystem. The process includes exchanging the waste by-product from
the fish as a food for the bacteria, converting it into nitrified fertilizer for the crops, and returning
the water to the fish in a clean and practical way (“What Is Aquaponics?”). The only gap in the
closed loop cycle is the feeding of the fish which is independent of the cycle; however, this
doesn’t affect the success or failure of the project in any way.

The Halo Farm Project will consist on using three species of fish and three species of vegetables.
We plan on using fish commonly known in Qatar as Safi (Siganus rivulatus), Zubaidi
(Stromateus fiatola) and Kaa’nd (Scomberomoroud commerson) and vegetables commonly
known as potatoes, Cabbage, and Tomatoes. Those species were chosen as we believe that it will
greatly improve the food security issue in Qatar. For example, Qatar imports $11 million of
potatoes. We could significantly reduce this price by introducing potatoes into local agriculture
through aquaponics.
Environmental Impact
There are many ways how aquaponics can positively impact the environment through energy
efficiency. Firstly, Aquaponics conserves water by utilizing 90% less water than traditional
agriculture: Water and nutrients are recycled in a fashion that retains water in a closed loop (6
Reasons Why). Moreover, the conservation of energy, we use less energy than standard
commercial agriculture, even with the growth lights! All energy used in aquaponics is electrical,
so the implementation of solar panels in our project, to provide 80% of all power, significantly
reduces energy costs. In addition, Qatar’s global horizontal irradiance is 2,140 kWh per m2 per
year which makes it well-suited for solar photovoltaic systems (Zafar). Furthermore, aquaponics
eliminates the need for arable soil. Compared to traditional farming, much more can be achieved
with hydroponics in a tiny room with respect to land needs, and reduced fossil fuel, water, and
pesticide use (5 Environmental Benefits). And because it does not require soil, it is increasingly
possible to use hydroponic methods in regions with severe climates. The gap in knowledge,
however, still remains that aquaponics-style farming has yet to be conducted in Qatar. This
project will serve as a baseline of testing for productivity and sustainability of the salt water
aquaponics farming method.

Application
For our testing, we decided to base our project on a small farm in the city of Al Khor, called
Agrico Qatari Farm. Our study shows a total investment cost of $950,363 for the model farm.
This includes a raceway surface area of 5000 m2 and a fish tank volume of 331.50 m3. About
half of the total initial investment costs is used to purchase various facility components such as
tanks and the lumber used to build vegetable raceways (Tokunaga). It is important to note that
the investment costs shown below are based on a 30-year project timeline. Our implementation
and analysis of the Halo Farm Project will be conducted within the first 2-4 years of testing, but
the investment will successfully allow the farm to run for another 26-28 years if properly
maintained.

Investment Costs

Item: Vegetable Fish Total

Facility component $348,650 $115,172 $463,822

Labor $134,268 $39,038 $173,306

Machinery and equipment $175,045 $36,065 $211,110

(rental and fuel)

Operational machinery & $102,125 $0 $102,125

equipment purchase

Grand Total $760,088 $190,275 $950,363

Operational Costs (yearly)

Item: Vegetable Fish Total

Labor $47,858 $3,068 $50,926

Electricity $6,714 $1,830 $8,545

Water $2,859 $779 $3,638

Seeds and Feed $2,154 $13,854 $16,008

Machinery fuel $8,632 $0 $8,632

Land rental $6,678 $1,822 $8,500

Grand Total $74,895 $21,353 $96,248

Upon analysis of the costs, it is clear that the vegetable side of the project is responsible for the
majority of the investment - over three-fourths. However, this is a necessary step to ensure all
components needed to successfully grow the plants are in place. Plants being the most delicate
part of this operation, it is important to secure their environment to guarantee an increase in
growth potential. We find that it costs $96,248 annually to operate the one-house farm. The cost
of labor is over half of the total operational cost. Operational costs would amount to over two
years to attain a solid amount of data and results pertaining to the sustainability and profitability
of this project. Labor’s high price is in part due to the harvesting, processing, and packaging of
the goods. The data portrayed above is a scaled up investment ratio of 4.34:1 taken from the
results of a previous, successful aquaponics study done in Hawaii (Tokunaga). Certain factors
have been altered, such as labor, due to Hawaii’s use of a minimum wage - of $10.10 per hour -
in determining the labor cost. Qatar determines wages on a month by month basis, so the labor
cost is considerably reduced. Projected sales were estimated to surpass $420,000 yearly.
Meaning the project would pay for itself within the first 2-3 years of operation.

Conclusion
Throughout the testing of this project, bi-annual progress reports will be conducted to ensure not
only the quality of the plants and fish but to confirm the growth and potential success of future
projects of this kind. If results are successful and look promising, steps will be taken to establish
a policy of procedure and establishment in order to increase the chances of success for new
companies. The policy would range from equipment and operation guidelines to farming
standards, and would outline the necessary steps to reproduce the Halo Farm project. Local
farmers could implement this farming technique at a much smaller scale and, of course, for a
much cheaper price. The result is a larger inclusion and interaction of local agriculture in lieu of
imported food. In doing so, Qatar’s dependence on imported food will decrease significantly as
fish and local agriculture are steadily introduced into the economy.
 References

“5 Environmental Benefits of Hydroponic Growing (Explained in Detail).” Get Green Now, 26

Aug. 2018, www.get-green-now.com/hydroponics-environmental-benefits/.

“6 Reasons Why Aquaponic Farming Is Better for the Environment.” Volcano Veggies, 28
Mar. 2017, www.volcanoveggies.com/2017/03/20/aquaponics-better-for-environment/.

“About Agrico.” Qatari Natural Agriculture, www.agrico.qa/about-agrico/.

Jackson, Ross. “Project to improve Qatar water security.” Gulf Times, 06 Jan. 2013,
www.gulf-times.com/story/337690/Project-to-improve-Qatar-water-security

Suresh, Surya. “Food Security Strategy in Qatar.” EcoMENA. 26 May. 2019.

www.ecomena.org/food-security-qatar/

Tokunaga, Kanae & Tamaru, Clyde & Ako, Harry & Leung, PingSun. “Economics of
Small-scale Commercial Aquaponics in Hawai‘i.” Journal of the World Aquaculture
Society. (2015). 46.10.1111/jwas.12173.
www.researchgate.net/publication/272754831_Economics_of_Small-
scale_Commercial_Aquaponics_in_Hawai'i

“What Is Aquaponics?” The Aquaponic Source,

www.theaquaponicsource.com/what-is-aquaponics/.

Zafar, Salman. “Solar Energy in Qatar.” EcoMENA, 13 May. 2018,

www.ecomena.org/solar-energy-in-qatar/