Today's Edition
Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
In a groundbreaking step toward enhancing food security and sustainability, the UAE has unveiled AeroFarms AgX in Abu Dhabi, a state-of-the-art vertical farm that has become a global benchmark.
This innovative facility is not only the largest indoor vertical farm in the world but also a hub for scientific research and development, driving agricultural innovation across the UAE and the Middle East.
Food security has long been a cornerstone of the UAE's strategic vision, with the leadership prioritising sustainable agricultural practices to overcome challenges such as water scarcity and arid climates.
To meet these demands, the nation has adopted advanced agricultural technologies that ensure high-quality local production while reducing reliance on imports.
Vertical farming, a key component of these efforts, offers significant advantages over traditional agriculture.
These include water savings, reduced land use, and the ability to cultivate crops in controlled indoor environments.
By implementing these technologies, the UAE not only enhances self-sufficiency but also achieves competitive quality, cost-effectiveness, and environmental sustainability.
The facility's focus on research and development ensures continuous innovation in agricultural methods, reinforcing the UAE's position as a global leader in food security and green technology.
Through initiatives like AeroFarms AgX, the UAE demonstrates its commitment to advancing the agricultural sector and setting new standards for sustainability and innovation worldwide.
The fifth season of the ‘World’s Coolest Winter’ campaign, launched under the theme ‘Green Tourism,’ is celebrating the UAE’s successful agricultural tourism destinations.
The initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of Economy, the National Agricultural Center, and local tourism bodies, highlights the country’s growing agricultural tourism sector, focusing on sustainable farming practices and promoting eco-friendly travel experiences.
The campaign aims to encourage community participation in sustainable agricultural practices and boost tourism visits to farms and agricultural projects.
This effort is part of the broader domestic tourism strategy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
The strategy aims to develop an integrated national tourism ecosystem.
By spotlighting agricultural tourism, the campaign underscores the importance of these projects in fostering sustainability and environmental responsibility, positioning the UAE as a leader in green tourism and innovative agricultural practices.
Technical laboratories
In February 2023, AeroFarms, a globally recognized leader in indoor vertical farming and a Certified B Corporation , launched its latest cutting-edge facility, AeroFarms AgX.
Spanning 65,000 square feet, the farm is equipped with advanced laboratories dedicated to organoleptic research, precision phenotyping, and phytochemical analysis.
Additionally, the facility supports groundbreaking research on next-generation machine vision, machine learning, robotics, and automation.
AeroFarms AgX is set to play a pivotal role in advancing agricultural technology in Abu Dhabi.
By collaborating closely with top local companies and universities, the farm addresses the unique challenges of farming in desert and arid climates, while promoting sustainable solutions for the region’s agricultural sector.
Looking to establish itself as an innovation hub, AeroFarms AgX also partners with leading organizations such as Cargill, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research (FFAR), and the Precision Indoor Plants (PIP) Network to advance research and development in the field of sustainable agriculture.
Knowledge transfer
AeroFarms AgX is not only focused on applying the results of its research within its own operations but is also dedicated to sharing this knowledge with local farmers to enhance their expertise in advanced farming techniques.
The aim is to improve crop productivity, reduce costs and waste, and promote environmentally sustainable practices across the agricultural sector.
To further these goals, AeroFarms has entered into a formal partnership with Silal, a local agricultural company, to foster long-term collaboration in research and development.
The partnership seeks to transfer advanced farming technologies and knowledge to local farmers, helping them adopt innovative solutions for better, more sustainable crop production.
This collaboration promises to benefit both producers and consumers in the long run, with a focus on increasing the local agricultural output while lowering environmental impact.
Both parties will prioritise research efforts to maximize the benefits of local agricultural production, including enhancing the quality of seedlings, diversifying crops, and improving market dynamics.
A key aspect of the partnership is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on improving the genetic quality of seedlings for various fruits and vegetables, increasing their ability to withstand harsh climatic conditions.
Seedling quality is a critical factor in the successful growth and yield of crops.
The partnership will also focus on evaluating and testing crops in high demand from consumers, including chili peppers, sweet peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, watermelon, eggplant, strawberries, and berries.
The UAE has become the first Arab country to adopt innovative vertical farming methods in its agricultural production, in line with its efforts to support a sustainable future for crop production.
This move is aimed at achieving food security and promoting diversity in agricultural outputs, which aligns with the nation's vision for long-term sustainability.
Vertical farms are expected to revolutionize the future of agriculture, particularly in regions with harsh climates.
These farms utilise advanced technologies to produce crops in a controlled, closed ecosystem where factors such as temperature and lighting can be optimized.
The farms rely on hydroponics, eliminating the need for soil or pesticides, and are structured with vertically stacked shelves to maximize space.
The UAE has adopted a clear approach to enhancing its food security through a comprehensive system for food production and management, using modern technologies to address challenges such as water scarcity and limited arable land.
Globally, there is an increasing trend toward the development of vertical farming as a promising solution to food security challenges.
These farms offer operational efficiency and year-round harvests.
They can also be located close to markets and consumers in urban areas, with flexible and varied spaces that significantly reduce transportation costs and contribute to mitigating global supply chain disruptions.
Vertical farming also offers advantages in terms of reducing the risk of foodborne diseases, lowering the need for inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, and cutting water consumption through recycling.
Studies have shown that vertical indoor farms can yield crops such as wheat at 220 to 600 times higher per acre than traditional field farming.
For fast-growing horticultural crops, such as lettuce and leafy herbs, production in a controlled environment can reduce water use by up to 95%, while ensuring consistent, high-quality products year-round.
