Purpose

This study aims to evaluate a hydroponic farm (through nutrient film technique) while considering uncertainty, sustainability and the system's utility in the dominant desert geography. The idea of the hydroponic farm is to allow individuals/businesses to grow plants. Given the geographical condition, the hydroponic system may be useful in the Gulf context and may lead to food security and sustainability. Additionally, the UAE government has initiated several support schemes that can be availed for investing in such businesses that can contribute to the nation's food security.

Design/methodology/approach

The hydroponic farm is evaluated using the net present value and real options approach. The authors studied five scenarios: 1. business as usual, 2. 50% subsidy on initial investment through Khalifa funding, 3. 4% premium, 4. Subsidy plus premium and 5. solar panel installation with bore well.

Findings

As per the assumptions and data usage, all the scenarios shows a positive net present value (NPV); Nevertheless, scenarios 4 and 5 report the significant highest net present and delay value.

Research limitations/implications

This study has environmental, economic and social implications. Lower imports indirectly lead to lower carbon footprints. The local production of food ensures higher employability in the sector and increase in local consumption. Additionally, fresh food consumption is directly associated to good health.

Practical implications

Supportive policies such as subsidies through Khalifa funding may accelerate the expansion of such projects through domestic and foreign investments. One of the important takeaway from the study is to invest in the training of the workforce.

Social implications

Given the geographical condition, the UAE usually depends on food imports. If the hydroponic farms become popular, the residents will have access to fresh vegetables and fruits. Higher engagement in agriculture activities also ensures a significant increase in agriculture-related businesses and higher employability.

Originality/value

The study adds novelty to the literature because the effect of Khalifa funding and investment analysis on solar (wells) has not been evaluated in any hydroponic studies. We presented the results with tornado graphs using NPV risk and real options approach in the Gulf context. The study represents functional scenarios that were previously not found in the literature.

中文翻译：

---

新的水培农场发展的商业评估策略–阿拉伯联合酋长国关于可持续农业发展的建议

目的

这项研究旨在评估水培农场（通过营养膜技术），同时考虑不确定性，可持续性以及该系统在主要沙漠地理环境中的效用。水耕农场的想法是允许个人/企业种植植物。考虑到地理条件，水培系统可能在海湾地区有用，并可能导致粮食安全和可持续性。此外，阿联酋政府已经启动了一些支持计划，这些计划可用于投资可为国家粮食安全做出贡献的此类企业。

设计/方法/方法

使用净现值和实物期权方法对水培农场进行评估。作者研究了五个方案：1.照常营业，2.通过Khalifa资金对初始投资提供50％的补贴，3. 4. 4％的溢价，4.补贴加溢价，以及5.井眼安装太阳能电池板。

发现

根据假设和数据使用情况，所有场景均显示正净现值（NPV）；但是，方案4和5报告了最高的净现值和延迟值。

研究局限/意义

这项研究具有环境，经济和社会意义。较低的进口量间接导致较低的碳足迹。当地的粮食生产确保了该部门更高的就业能力和当地消费的增长。另外，新鲜食物的消费与健康状况直接相关。

实际影响

通过哈利法资金提供补贴等支持性政策可能会通过国内外投资加速此类项目的扩张。该研究的重要收获之一是投资于劳动力培训。

社会影响

考虑到地理条件，阿联酋通常取决于粮食进口。如果水培农场流行起来，居民将有机会获得新鲜的蔬菜和水果。加强对农业活动的参与还可以确保与农业有关的业务显着增加和更高的就业能力。

创意/价值

这项研究增加了文献的新颖性，因为在任何水培研究中都未评估Khalifa资金和投资分析对太阳能（井）的影响。在海湾地区，我们使用NPV风险和实物期权方法以龙卷风图展示了结果。该研究代表了以前在文献中找不到的功能场景。