As Egypt's agriculture is threatened by water scarcity, soil nutrient depletion and fast-shrinking agricultural lands, Amr Bassiouny decided to think outside the box in the hope of finding a way out of this predicament and boosting the agricultural industry in general. After a period of intensive self-study of farming systems, Bassiouny, with the help of his partner Adel El Shentenawy, founded one of Egypt's first hydroponic farms — Egyptian Hydrofarms.

Egyptian Hydrofarms became a boon for those who look for affordable healthy and pesticide-free leafy greens. Al-Monitor spoke to Bassiouny to get more details about his farm and the greens he grows hydroponically.

Hydroponics is a farming method that depends entirely on water instead of soil to grow plants. Plants can get the required mineral nutrients directly from the pH-balanced water. Such farming systems are environmentally friendly, do not use chemical pesticides and above all save approximately 95% of the water wasted in traditional farming.

Bassiouny, who studied business at Hong Kong University, told Al-Monitor, "I spent around nine months studying agriculture techniques on my own. Then I built a home hydroponics system and conducted several experiments. After successful trials, I insisted on spreading the idea and having my own farm."