Inspired by a volunteer aquaponic farm trip, brothers Sherif and Tarek Hosny founded Schaduf to adapt this technology for rooftop farms in Cairo. Their mission was to create social and environmental impact through community hydroponic farms providing fresh produce and income opportunities, marking the beginning of urban farming in Cairo and the Middle East.
Schaduf expanded its offerings by introducing living walls, becoming the first company in Egypt to do so. These vertical gardens enhanced aesthetics while promoting energy efficiency and water conservation, earning recognition from clients like Tag Sultan and Vodafone for their aesthetic and environmental benefits, supporting green spaces across Egypt.
Schaduf expanded access to hydroponic farms for low-income communities by partnering with NGOs like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Drosos. This collaboration established over 700 rooftop farms, covering 2,120 square meters and providing a sustainable source of fresh produce and expanding access to fresh produce sustainably.
Schaduf experienced rapid growth in 2019 with branches opening in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. This strategic move solidified their presence in the GCC region, landing them exciting projects across diverse locations: Dubai World Trade Center, The Bank Beach Club (Oman), Adventure Parks, Riyadh Metro, and Al Khiran Mall (Kuwait), and expanding GCC regional reach.
Schaduf partnered with landscape architect Khaled Abdel Gawad to establish a dedicated landscape architecture division focused on sustainable design. This collaboration enabled Schaduf to provide consultancy services for significant projects, including NEOM: the line (Red Sea, Saudi Arabia), alburouj (Cairo, Egypt), silversands (North Coast, Egypt)
In 2020, Schaduf introduced two key new initiatives: Smart Farming using technology for data-driven agriculture and optimized crop management through real-time insights from sensors and satellite imaging. Farmed Here launched Egypt’s first in store hydroponic farm and expanded to Saudi Arabia, showcasing the potential of urban farming for local produce.
Schaduf expanded its vision for sustainable agriculture globally in 2021! Partnerships aided knowledge sharing & innovation. Foodstars (Netherlands) shared expertise. Mishkat (KSA) strengthened its presence in Saudi Arabia while promoting greener agriculture. Water and Energy for Food Fund developed Urban Farming kits for sustainable urban food production.
In 2024, Schaduf streamlined services into three brands: Schaduf Green Solutions for urban green solutions; Schaduf Landscape Architects for landscape design and consultancy; and Schaduf Smart Farming for agricultural technologies. The structure enhanced focus & expertise, solidifying the position of Schaduf as a leader in sustainable urban agriculture.