Hydroponics: A Solution for Water-Scarce Tunisia
In a greenhouse, soil is not always necessary to grow vegetables. This is the bet made by Grow It Yourself, a Tunisian startup that develops hydroponic solutions, an agricultural technique that allows plants to be grown outside of soil while controlling their environment.
A Response to Tunisia's Water Crisis
Founded between 2018 and 2019 by Ilyes Saidani, the company has specialized in a technology that addresses a central issue in Tunisia: how to continue producing while water becomes an increasingly rare resource. "The idea was to develop a more efficient agriculture, capable of producing more while consuming fewer resources," says the CEO.
How Hydroponics Works
Hydroponics is based on a simple principle: plant roots no longer draw nutrients from the soil, but from an enriched aqueous solution. This control of the environment allows for reduced losses and optimized inputs.
Water: The Trigger
The choice of this technology is not a coincidence. Tunisia is one of the countries subject to significant water stress. With the current heatwave and water cuts in several regions, Tunisians are daily reminded of the situation. The decrease in precipitation, pressure on groundwater, and evolution of agricultural needs are forcing the sector to review its production methods. In this context, solutions that use less water are attracting increasing attention. According to Grow It Yourself, its systems can save up to 90% of water compared to traditional agricultural methods, depending on the crops and operating conditions.
Increased Yield and Improved Production
The startup also claims a higher yield potential, which can reach up to ten times that of a traditional crop on the same surface, thanks to better control of growth parameters. Beyond the quantity produced, it's also the way of producing that changes. The integration of technology in crop monitoring is one of the evolutions brought about by modern hydroponics. The installations developed by Grow It Yourself include sensors that can monitor various parameters such as irrigation, system operation, crop conditions, or specific plant needs.
Smart Farming
As a result, farmers can monitor several data points remotely via a digital interface. This approach brings Tunisian agriculture closer to the concepts of smart farming, where data becomes a tool for making better decisions. This evolution corresponds to a global trend. In several countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, and the United States, agricultural technologies already allow for production in highly controlled environments, including areas where climatic constraints make traditional agriculture more difficult.
Sanitary Control
Another argument put forward by hydroponic actors concerns sanitary control. By eliminating direct contact with the soil, this method limits certain risks associated with diseases transmitted through the soil. Grow It Yourself claims to develop systems that function without pesticides and collaborates with laboratories to support farmers who want to strengthen the traceability of their productions. This dimension also responds to the evolution of consumer expectations, who are increasingly attentive to the origin of food products and the methods used to produce them.
For Individuals Too
Grow It Yourself's model is not limited to agricultural exploitations. The startup also offers installations for individuals who want to produce their own vegetables. The company supports its clients with turnkey solutions, from installation to training, with follow-up after commissioning. This approach reflects a market evolution: technological agriculture no longer concerns only large operators. It is also beginning to interest individuals, small structures, and new profiles attracted to local production.
Expansion and Network
After developing in Tunisia, Grow It Yourself is exporting its expertise to other African markets, including Algeria, Libya, and Senegal. For the startup, Africa represents a natural expansion territory. The continent faces similar challenges: demographic growth, pressure on natural resources, and the need to improve agricultural productivity. The company claims to have a significant presence on the Tunisian hydroponics market and prioritizes self-financing for the time being, considering a potential fundraising campaign from 2027 to accelerate its development.
Can Hydroponics Change Tunisian Agriculture?
Hydroponics will not replace all forms of traditional agriculture. Field crops will remain essential for many productions. However, in a country where every liter of water counts, hydroponics appears as one of the possible solutions to adapt the agricultural model. The challenge for startups in the sector will be to go beyond the stage of technological innovation to achieve wider adoption among farmers. Behind this technology lies a broader question: in the context of climate change, how to produce better with fewer resources?
