Estidamah Discusses Water Use Efficiency in the 8th International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environments (ICWRAE)

^{Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,  22 - 24 January 2019}

Estidamah has elaborately discussed water use efficiency in the 8th International Conference on Water Resources and Arid Environments (ICWRAE8), which was jointly organized by King Saud University (KSU), the Prince Sultan Institute for Environmental, Water and Desert Research, and the Saudi Ministry of the Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 22nd to 24th January 2019.

In its presentation on “Water use efficiency in modern Green Houses”, Estidamah has pointed out that a better water use efficiency can be obtained by a higher production per m² or a lower water use per m². As such, in Air Conditioning cooled greenhouse, 95% of the water transpired by the crop can be re-used, so almost no loss. 

According to Estidamah’ recommendations, the very dry outside air conditions in the Riyadh-region allow for good evaporative cooling. Despite the high outside temperature and radiation levels, pad and fan cooling provide a favorable inside climate for growing tomatoes. Also, the water use efficiency of a pad & fan system can be improved by placing the fans high up in the greenhouse, preferably above crop level.

Furthermore, from an economic point of view, Estidamah strongly recommended using medium-tech greenhouses as the best option due to the current water and electricity prices.

Held every two years, ICWRAE offers a great forum for participants to exchange knowledge and share information in water resources and desert-related fields, and explore the use of new technologies in the study of arid and semi-arid environments and their natural resources. The Conference also provides an opportunity for decision-makers, experts, and scientists to share their expertise in order to find integrative and comprehensive solutions for water resource problems.

The event stresses that we need to work together in trust and with a sense of shared responsibility. Our efforts must remain above the narrow concerns of geography, politics, or economic interests, because human life, wherever it is found, is truly the most precious thing, and water is the most precious component of human life.