Mecca: Saudi Greenhouse Management and Agri Marketing Co. (SGH) and Topian, the NEOM food company, have joined hands to set up the Horticulture Innovation Center (HIC) at the University of Tabuk. The world-class facility is set to transform agriculture in the Gulf nation. This initiative will help the Saudi agriculture department to train locals and bring innovative techniques in the horticulture sector so that greenhouse farming can be expanded in the country.
Experts from the Netherlands have been called to design the HIC to meet the high international standards. The construction work will start under the supervision of SGH, while Topian will look after the daily management to ensure long-term success.
This center will bring industry experts, researchers, and farmers on one platform, aiming to provide training to greenhouse operators for developing Saudi Arabia’s unique agricultural conditions. The facility will display several advanced farming technologies, like automated greenhouses with temperature and lighting control, as well as easy-to-install shade houses, bringing modernism to the farming sector in Saudi Arabia.
“The Horticulture Innovation Center at the University of Tabuk will help transform Saudi Arabia’s agricultural sector,” said Mohamed Al Rasheed, CEO of SGH. “This facility will prepare local talent to lead the industry into a sustainable future.”
Dr. Juan Carlos Motamayor, CEO of Topian, added, “We are excited to bring the best in greenhouse technology and innovation to Saudi Arabia through this partnership.”
The construction of HIC will get underway later in 2025. The center is set to collaborate with local and global experts to develop sustainable farming practices with the help of education and cutting-edge technology. This venture is a significant step toward boosting food security and rapid growth in the agriculture and horticulture sectors in the Kingdom.
