Describing new sustainable region Neom as “more than a construction project”, Topian says it is committed to reshaping food production in Saudi Arabia
You may well have heard of Neom – the region taking shape in northwest Saudi Arabia, one of the most arid parts of the world – which has been described by Topian, tasked with developing sustainable food production methods for the city, as “more than a construction project”.
At its heart, the company says, lies a commitment to reshaping essential sectors, including food, transforming production and validating groundbreaking technologies.
“Topian’s mission is to ensure access to healthy, delicious food produced sustainably for the benefit of both people and the planet,” explains Dr Juan Carlos Motamayor, CEO of Topian. “Innovation is in our DNA. We’re committed to developing water-saving agricultural solutions and contributing to Saudi Arabia’s food security and environmental goals. This is crucial for the Kingdom and a model we believe can be impactful globally.”
Leveraging cutting-edge technologies and sustainable practices, Topian has built a high-tech greenhouse piloting climate-proof agriculture in Oxagon, a state-of-the-art refurbished aquacultural hatchery and advanced vertical farms.
“We’ve achieved impressive progress against ambitious targets in a remarkably short timeframe,” says Pierre Broun, director of agriculture at Topian. “Our current assets are poised to deliver exceptional quality produce, laying the foundation for our first phase of production, which will include premium lettuce, strawberries and tomatoes.”
The next phase of production is set to focus on premium berries, table grapes and expanded ranges of tomatoes, peppers and lettuces, with the company seeking partnerships with leaders in those segments.
“The response from international companies has been incredibly positive,” says Konstantine Vekua, agricultural projects manager at Topian, who is leading the outreach. “There’s a clear recognition of the immense opportunities within Saudi Arabia’s rapidly growing food sector and a strong interest in exploring joint ventures with Topian.”
Topian says collaborations will be essential to bring in new technologies, incorporate specialised knowledge, further diversify Saudi agriculture and enhance the Kingdom’s global competitiveness.
“By combining Topian’s visionary approach with global expertise and cutting-edge technologies, the company aims to transform the fresh-produce landscape in Saudi Arabia and set new benchmarks for sustainable agriculture worldwide,” Topian states.
