Ahmad Al-Khatib

Jordanian engineer leading solar energy revolution in Middle Eastern agriculture

Dr. Ahmad Al-Khatib, a Jordanian renewable energy engineer, has transformed farming practices across the Middle East through his solar-powered irrigation systems. Born in Amman in 1988, he founded SolarAgritech in 2020 with a mission to make sustainable agriculture viable in arid regions. His patented SolarDrip system combines solar panels with drip irrigation, reducing water use by 60% while cutting energy costs by 80% for farmers.

By 2023, SolarAgritech had installed systems on 1,200 farms across Jordan, Palestine, and Egypt, enabling cultivation of drought-resistant crops like quinoa and millet. Al-Khatib's innovation was recognized by the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2022 and secured $2.1M in EU funding through the Greening the East Initiative. His technology now supports 15,000+ farmers, many of whom are women in rural areas.

Al-Khatib's work extends to policy through his advisory role with the UNDP Jordan. He co-authored the 2023 Jordan National Agricultural Sustainability Plan, which integrates solar technology into national farming subsidies. His TED Talk "Sunlight to Synergy: Solar-Powered Food Security" has been translated into 12 languages.

In 2024, Al-Khatib launched the Solar Farmer Academy, providing free training to 500+ technicians annually. His team's 2023 study in Renewable Energy demonstrated how his systems could increase regional crop yields by 40% while cutting carbon emissions. Named Middle East Innovator of the Year, Al-Khatib's contributions are reshaping agriculture's future in water-scarce regions.