Syrian builds rooftop farm to beat economic hardship

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Syria's rooftop farm

Location: Damascus, Syria

Abdulrahman al-Masri has turned his roof

into a hydroponic farm

The 23-year-old entrepreneur cultivates

over 33 tons of fruits and vegetables

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HYDROPONIC FARM OWNER, ABDULRAHMAN AL-MASRI, SAYING:"The good thing about the project is that it can work, even in the smallest places that we have not thought to explore. Any roof exposed to the sun can be used in this project. Same applies to utilizing the rooftops of farms, buildings under construction, factories and neglected spaces in farms."

Advantages of hydroponic farming technology include

//saving water, pesticides and space//

Researchers say hydroponics can also tackle high food prices

by making more food available locally

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HYDROPONIC FARM OWNER, ABDULRAHMAN AL-MASRI, SAYING:"The reality can impose changes according to the climate conditions that may affect the growth of the plants, or according to the market's prices that may rise or decrease suddenly because of their instability. The economic viability is still theoretical more than practical, but theoretically it can support a three-member family in worst case scenarios."