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Desert Farming Experiment Yields Good Initial Results

Taco Cowboy writes "For the past year or so, a tiny scale farming experiment in has been carried out in the desert field of Qatar, using only sunlight and seawater. From the article: 'A pilot plant built by the Sahara Forest Project (SFP) produced 75 kilograms of vegetables per square meter in three crops annually (or 25 kilograms per square meter, per crop)' If the yield level can be maintained, a farm of the size of 60 hectares would be enough to supply the nation of Qatar with all the cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and egglants that it needs. 'The project will proceed to the next stage with an expansion to 20 hectares, to test its viability into commercial operation.'"

5 of 178 comments (clear)

  1. Easy improvements here by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    What they really need is a droid who speaks the binary language of moisture vaporators.

  2. Re: Why those vegetables? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    They're growing vegetables in wire cages? That's so cruel! I only eat free range vegetables.

  3. Re:fertilizer? by Ginger+Unicorn · · Score: 3, Funny

    Yes, don't forget t.

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    (1.21 gigawatts) / (88 miles per hour) = 30 757 874 newtons
  4. Re: Why those vegetables? by brianerst · · Score: 3, Funny

    That's why I think it's far more ethical to be a carnivore - I only eat things that have a chance to run away.

    (And this is Slashdot, so a reply of "Including your girlfriend?" doesn't apply...)

  5. Re: Why those vegetables? by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1, Funny

    Just remember: vegetables aren't food. Vegetables are what food eats.

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    Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!