NxG Award 2022 - Winner - Fardan Fahad Alfardan
Fardan Fahad Alfardan
Fardan is 3rd Generation, Alfardan Group
Project Name: “Safwa”
Year initiated: 2019
Project description: Most high-quality produce are not locally grown in Qatar and are imported from other countries. We want to provide these high-quality produce all year-round, i.e. even in the driest summer months.
How does your project provide a solution to a problem or satisfy a specific need?
Among other features of this technology, the use of aquaponic and aeroponic systems enables us to save water because 90% of the water used is recycled. Without the use of land, we can protect the land and the environment. Also, our produce does not contain insects or pesticides, thereby providing the community with the healthiest vegetables.
How do you create customer value?
We provide high-quality produce from our farm all year round, i.e. even in the driest summer months. These are now locally available, instead of buying imported products.
How is your project innovative?
Most vegetables and fruits are imported into Qatar from different countries. To be more sustainable, Safwa was born in 2019 from the family farm, providing high-quality produce to the local community.
What is the most valuable mistake that you have made, and what did you learn from it?
I have learned a lot from two previous generations of the family who have established and maintained the success of the enterprise for more than 65 years. Challenges come up everyday and once we overcome them, another lesson is learnt.
How being from a family business has impacted you as a person, and which influence this has in turn had on your project?
Our family business has gone through decades of growth, challenges and successes. The diversity in our industries has given me the chance to test the waters, learn from the generations before me and take those lessons with me in building up my project.