The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Featured images: Urban Greens Egypt – Facebook.

For those who follow the world of agriculture, you may have come across the word “hydroponics”. Even if you haven’t, that’s what we’re here for! According to Green and Vibrant, it’s a  “dirt-free, space-saving, water-effective method of growing”. In other words, it’s a planting technique that helps plants grow without soil while benefiting from the nutrients in the water for growth.

Some people are under the assumption that hydroponics is a new form of agricultural technology, but the matter of the fact is that it’s been around for over 30 years. Actually, some records date it back as early as ancient civilisations. Adopting this practice and attempting to promote its local application in Cairo households is today’s featured organisation, Urban Greens Egypt.

It states on their page, “Our objective is to create a new food movement that encourages pesticides free, clean, and fresh local produce. This movement aims at changing the traditional cycle that our food goes through and encourages a new contemporary and transparent approach from field to table.” As a result, fresh produce is guaranteed, without the potentially harmful effects of pesticides and preservatives, and long journeys to the market are avoided, so litres of gas are saved!

In an interview with Masrawy, where the two co-founders were interviewed, Yehia Almasry said, “All you need is a space of 1 square metre to plant 10 lettuce for a family of 5 members, who typically need one a day.” Abdallah Tawfik also stressed how the hydroponics methodology could be easily implemented, without the use of land, on your balcony or rooftop, as long as the necessary planting conditions are available.

Imagine independently growing all the food you need, just a few steps or an elevator ride away from your own home. It’s worth giving the hydroponics method a try; consider it a new scientific experiment! If you’re not sold, check some of Urban Greens Egypt’s mouthwatering products on Instagram.