Qatar-based startup VFarms has cultivated iceberg lettuce heads weighing over 600 grams, nearly quadruple the standard weight typically achi
Qatar-based startup VFarms has cultivated iceberg lettuce heads weighing over 600 grams, nearly quadruple the standard weight typically achieved in vertical farms worldwide.
The breakthrough was achieved under some of the harshest growing conditions on earth, with external temperatures exceeding 50°C and extreme humidity. "The task was not just to grow lettuce, because somehow everyone can grow lettuce," said Kirill Igoshin, CEO of VFarms. "The task was to grow lettuce that nobody has grown before in the world.
The project was based on mobile container farms powered by solar panels and atmospheric water generators, which harvest water directly from the air, making the system fully off-grid and independent of external water sources. "We are the first company to combine all of these elements, not just in Qatar, but globally," said Igoshin.
Harnessing water from air and energy from the sun VFarms' cultivation system runs fully off-grid, using atmospheric water generators that extract moisture from the air at night and solar panels that supply energy during the day. However, Qatar's extreme climate presents unique limitations.
"Between December and February, humidity drops and temperatures are too low to effectively harvest water," explained Igoshin. To overcome this, the team collects and stores water during the more humid summer months to ensure year-round availability. "Efficiency is key," he said. "We are testing next-generation water generators and battery systems to improve performance and make the return on investment more viable."
