Vertical farm gives Emirates greens it needs
▶ The 1.2 hectare facility will grow vegetables to supply Dubai’s airlines
Emirates airlines will build the world’s largest vertical farming facility in Dubai, in a US$40 million (Dh147 million) partnership with Crop One, a California company.
The airline said the 1.2-hectare facility will be near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central.
At full productivity the project will produce 2,700 kilograms of herbicide-free and pesticide-free leafy greens every day.
The cost of growing fresh produce in the UAE is exceptionally high. This has forced some Fujairah farmers to give up growing fruit and vegetables altogether, as reported this week.
Vertical farming has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than traditional farming. The facility is predicted to use 99 per cent less water than outdoor fields with only 0.003 per cent of the space. The site will cover only 1.2 hectares but produce the equivalent of 364ha of farmland.
Fresh vegetables will not need to be imported and the produce will have a very short trip to customers at the airport.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and group, says such projects will lead to greater “self sufficiency” for the emirate.
“This investment to build and operate the world’s largest vertical farming facility aligns with the UAE’s drive for more agricultural self-sufficiency, a vision that began with the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Founding Father.
“The introduction of ground-breaking technology at the facility also enhances Dubai’s position as a global innovation hub.”
Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), a subsidiary of Emirates Group, supplies in-flight food for airlines at Dubai International Airport.
“Our proven business model has demonstrated profitable commercial production longer than any other major vertical farmer,” said Sonia Lo, the chief executive of Crop One.
“We are farmers using the most sophisticated plant science and proven business efficiencies to provide market-leading consumer products every day.
“Our selection after a 10-month search by EKFC is a validation of our successful business model that uses patented technology and processes to optimise crop yields and facilitate hyper-growth.”
Vertical farming is seen as an environmentally friendly, efficient and sustainable solution to the UAE’s future food supply.
In March, the UAE’s first commercial vertical farm, Badia Farms, opened in Dubai.
Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, who led its opening ceremony, describing it at the time as an “exceptional example of how the UAE’s agricultural industry can thrive while protecting our environment for future generations”.
The Arabian Gulf’s warm and dry climate means it is hard to grow leafy greens, with water a precious resource.
Emirate’s customers could be eating leafy greens grown in vertical farms by the end of next year. Construction on the facility will begin by November and the project is likely to be finished by December next year.
Fresh vegetables will not need to be imported and the produce will have a very short trip to customers at the airport