Soil-based vertical farming towers are gaining traction in Egypt as an innovative method to increase crop productivity in confined spaces while significantly reducing water usage. The modular towers, designed with stacked soil layers, provide a flexible and efficient cultivation system suitable for various environments, including rooftops, balconies, and small land plots.

Samir Seif, an agricultural engineer who pioneered this approach after experimenting with container gardening on his rooftop, describes the towers as detachable structures that can be adjusted in height without changing their diameter, allowing a higher density of plants per unit of ground space. He emphasized the versatility of the design, which supports different crops within the same tower by utilizing separate soil compartments tailored to plants with varying light requirements.

Seif cultivates a diverse range of crops inside his towers, including cucumbers, peppers, potatoes, onions, garlic, carrots, leafy vegetables, and herbs. He noted the system allows year-round production, enabling the growth of crops such as hot peppers and aubergines during off-season periods by controlling environmental factors. Protective coverings can be added during excessive rain, while towers can be relocated to optimize sunlight exposure, enhancing growing conditions compared to traditional open-field farming.

In practical terms, Seif pointed out that a 100-square-meter rooftop can support up to three towers without compromising structural integrity, making urban agriculture a viable option. These towers are already adopted in both urban and rural areas, not only for food crops but also for ornamental, aromatic, and medicinal plants.

Vegetable trader Shaaban Bayoumi also supports the towers, having purchased produce grown in them due to the availability of out-of-season varieties like arugula, cauliflower, cabbage, and onions. Bayoumi highlighted the towers’ limited pesticide use and the ability to extend growing seasons with plastic covers. He sees vertical farming towers as ideal for small-space growers, offering supplemental income opportunities by harvesting crops multiple times a month. Market demand and fluctuating prices, however, remain important considerations for profitability.

Water conservation is a critical advantage of vertical soil-based farming in Egypt, where traditional irrigation methods consume large amounts of water. Engineer Mohammed Boshta explained that these soil-filled towers operate on a closed irrigation system that captures, treats, and recycles water, reducing water use by more than 80%. This contrasts with hydroponic systems, which depend heavily on electricity and are vulnerable to power interruptions.

Boshta noted that the towers align with Egypt's Vision 2030 strategy, aiming for water security by 2050 through efficient use and reuse of water resources. Their design suits desert farming and small landholders, overcoming challenges related to fragmented land ownership and costly land reclamation by increasing productivity without expanding land area.

Maintenance typically occurs every 18 months, involving dismantling the towers and refreshing the soil with organic manure. The soil mix used—a combination of clay, organic matter, and compost—is lighter and easier to manage than traditional farmland, reducing operational costs and eliminating several labor-intensive steps.

Agricultural engineer Karim Ghanem highlighted additional benefits, such as reduced weed growth due to dense planting and improved fertilizer efficiency resulting from precise nutrient and water control. This system captures excess water, analyzes its chemical properties, and adjusts irrigation accordingly, minimizing waste.

Beyond production, researchers see farming towers as valuable experimental units, facilitating studies on water and nutrient cycles, crop variety trials, and climate adaptation. Installed in academic settings such as Menoufiya University, the technology has also gained interest from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization for use in other African countries.

As vertical farming towers become more widespread, they offer a promising approach to addressing water scarcity, enhancing urban food security, and supporting sustainable agriculture in Egypt.