Rooftop Farming as an Innovative Solution for Urban Agriculture

During my visit to the Poultry and Agriculture Exhibition in Bangkok, I had the opportunity to visit a greenhouse located on the fourth floor of a building, dedicated to strawberry production. This concept is not new; it is already being implemented in many countries, including Kuwait. In 2017, Burgan Agricultural Company built a greenhouse on the roof of a building at Kuwait University, and it is still used today for agricultural research. Utilizing rooftops in cities is a practical solution, particularly in Asian countries grappling with high real estate prices, where these spaces are used to establish agricultural projects, as well as converting some greenhouses into restaurants and cafes that offer a unique experience in an open-air setting. In Kuwait, there are many ready-to-use spaces, such as parking lots and warehouses, that can be utilized for innovative agricultural projects. An area of just 500 square meters is sufficient to build greenhouses for producing crops such as strawberries, lettuce, and leafy greens, using hydroponics and aeroponics—techniques that have proven highly successful in Kuwait. Among the most notable benefits of this project are reduced transportation costs due to proximity to markets, easy access to electricity and water, and its role in improving the urban environment by cooling the lower floors of buildings. I hope that unused rooftops in Kuwait will be identified and converted into agricultural production centers, thereby contributing to enhanced food security and increased local vegetable production.