Red Sea Farms, the Saudi- and UAE-based agtech business, is expanding into the US to target water-scarce states with seasonally harsh climates.
The University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (UA-CEAC) will evaluate the technology to produce crops in resource-limited environments.
Red Sea Farms offers technology to enable the commercial farming of produce using low energy, zero freshwater sustainable climate control.
It is a spin-out from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology established in 2018 with a vision to reduce food insecurity, carbon and fresh water use in the food sectors.
The company has developed technologies, designed specifically for harsh environments. Through a patented system of day and night cooling, along with humidity control and efficient solar and growth monitoring technologies, Red Sea Farms said it has developed a low energy solution which means fresh water typically used to cool greenhouses is no longer required.
It added that international expansion to the US is being accelerated following investment from US investors AppHarvest and Bonaventure Capital.
In 2021, funding was also provided in the Middle East by Wa’ed, Saudi Aramco’s entrepreneurship arm, the Future Investment Initiative Institute, Global Ventures and King Abdullah University of Science & Technology.
The company is developing and using its technology in-house to grow and sell high quality fresh produce in Saudi Arabia, and will sell its technologies to growers around the world.
Ryan Lefers, CEO of Red Sea Farms, said: “Many parts of the US are water-scarce with seasonal harsh climates, making it a challenge to grow fresh produce year-round. However, the break-through technologies Red Sea Farms has created could help address the reliance on freshwater consumption in food production and improve food security. We are looking forward to working with the University of Arizona on this important subject.”
The initial study will integrate the Red Sea Farms environment technologies onto existing facilities at the University of Arizona Controlled Environment Agriculture Center for a year-long project so benefits can be fully assessed before further deployment.
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