According to Yonhap News,

The economic cooperative investment group, led by Gyeonggi Governor Kim Mun-su, visited the Qatar National Food Security Program (QNFSP) on Sunday to meet its Chairman Mohamed Al-Attiya.

They agreed to conduct joint study on vertical farming developed by Gyeonggi.

Vertical farming is a concept that argues that it is economically and environmentally viable to cultivate plant or animal life within skyscrapers, or on vertically inclined surface. Gyeonggi developed the vertical farming method in 2010 that utilizes robots operated by cutting-edge IT and renewable energy to cultivate plants.

Instead of the sunlight, LED lights control humidity and temperature automatically.

Gyeonggi emphasized that vertical farming will be the optimal farming method for desert countries in that cutting-edge technology cuts labor costs, maximizes space and blocks hazardous microorganism.

Gyeonggi-based companies in the vertical farming sector including MAXFOR Technology and SALTWARE presented their technology.

Qatar showed strong interests in vertical farming with Al Jazeera featuring the cutting-edge agricultural technique on its program.

Considering Qatar’s strong interests, Gyeonggi expects vertical farming to be exported to Qatar soon.

“Without deserts, Gyeonggi has become a dominant player in the global cactus market with the market share of 70 percent. Vertical farming technique will enable the desert country Qatar to raise high added value plants,” said Governor Kim.

Source Text

Source: Yonhap News (Oct. 28, 2012)

** This is the translation of a Korean article.