Farming without soil: Libyan entrepenuers use hydroponics to grow vegetables - in pictures

Hydroponic farming in the Libyan town of Qouwea uses greenhouses to grow produce

Hydroponic farming is taking off in the deserts of Libya. Here, farmer Mounir inspects lettuces growing without soil in a greenhouse in Qouwea, about 40 kilometres east of the capital Tripoli. AFP

Growing vegetables like these lettuces hydroponically is still in its infancy in Libya, but proponents say the method could offer a path toward greater food self-sufficiency. AFP

Mounir tours a greenhouse filled with hydroponically-grown lettuces in Qouwea, Libya, a country whose territory is 90 per cent arid desert. AFP

Mounir and Siraj Bechiya began training in hydroponics in Tunisia two years ago and together run the hydroponic farm at Qouwea in Libya. AFP

Mounir and Siraj plant sprouts for their plantation of hydroponically-grown lettuces. They say that high yield, low water usage and a lack of pesticides are all advantages of the farming method. AFP

A polytunnel filled with hydroponically-grown lettuces in Qouwea, Libya. AFP

Lettuces thriving at Mounir and Siraj's hydroponic farm in Qouwea. The farming technique could make a big difference to food production in Libya, which is plagued by water shortages. AFP

Siraj at the entrance of the greenhouse in Qouwea. There has been some improvisation on materials as the farm pioneers hydroponics in Libya. AFP

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