Planting of winter crops in the raised garden beds within the Sky Towers greenhouse

In the midst of the multiple crises Lebanon is going through, achieving food security for urban dwellers has become a priority. However, it’s important that this food is produced in a sustainable way that preserves natural resources and boosts biodiversity.

Gardening beds being prepared

Back in June 2020, FHF in collaboration with ESDU and CIBCO (Real Estate Beirut) initiated work on a sustainable urban farming project in the Sky Towers residential complex in New Doha. The project aims to  showcase sustainable farming in an urban setting, and includes different farming components such as the production of fresh fruits and vegetables, aromatic plants, free-range egg production and compost.

FHF team assessing the site in the early stages of the project

The sustainable project will also involve hiking trails in the pine forest around the complex and is expected to offer workshops on permaculture and organic production to amateurs. The residents of the towers will not only have access to healthy greens, but will also contribute to compost making by sorting their trash after receiving a training from FHF experts.

The sustainable urban farming project is expected to be completed in early 2021.

Clearing of debris in the pine forest on the project site
Composting unit on the project site
Public seating area in the pine forest surrounding Sky Towers
Gravel path leading to the entrance of one of the greenhouses
Raised garden beds in between Sky Towers and the greenhouse
Greenhouse vegetable garden on the project site
Sustainable gardening beds on the project site
ESDU agricultural engineer Towfik Gharzedine looking after the greenhouse vegetable garden
Plant irrigation system on the project site
Organic tomatoes growing in the greenhouse
Green chili peppers growing in the greenhouse