VP tours world’s largest vertical hydroponic farm
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, toured Emirates Crop One (ECO 1), the world’s largest vertical hydroponic farm that recently opened in Dubai.
Accompanying Sheikh Mohammed on the tour were Sheikh Maktoum Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE, and Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
Speaking during the tour of the facility, Sheikh Mohammed said the unique initiative reflects the country’s commitment to food security by fostering sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices. The UAE has maintained the highest levels of food security with one of the world’s most comprehensive plans to address this vital issue. The UAE will continue to make the right investments in technologies and people to make food production and supply more agile and sustainable, Sheikh Mohammed added.
Developed in a joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the world’s largest catering operations serving more than 100 airlines, and Crop One, an industry leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming, the $40 million facility is spread over an area of 330,000 sq. t.
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid noted that the Emirates Group has made significant contributions to achieving the UAE’S vision of being a leader in shaping the future of humanity. The world’s largest vertical farm in Dubai is an embodiment of the UAE’S goal of generating solutions for the world’s greatest challenges and advancing innovation for creating a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow, he said.
Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the newly opened hydroponic facility in Dubai is geared to produce more than 1,000,000 kilograms of high-quality leafy greens annually, while requiring 95% less water than conventional agriculture. At any point in time, the facility grows in excess of 1 million plants, which provides an output of 3,000 kg per day. The leafy greens grown in the facility, which include letuce, arugula, mixed salad greens and spinach, will be used for catering for passengers on Emirates and other airlines. People in the UAE will be able to buy the produce at stores under the Bustanica brand.
Earlier, Sheikh Ahmed said, “Long-term food security and self-sufficiency are vital to the economic growth of any country, and the UAE is no exception. We’ve specific challenges in our region, given the limitations around arable land and climate. Bustanica ushers in a new era of innovation and investments, which are important steps for sustainable growth and align with our country’s well-defined food and water security strategies.
“Emirates Flight Catering constantly invests in the latest technologies to delight customers, optimise operations, and minimise our environmental footprint. Bustanica helps secure our supply chain, and ensures our customers can enjoy locally sourced, nutritious produce. By bringing production closer to consumption, we’re reducing the food journey from farm to fork. Congratulations to the Bustanica team for their remarkable achievements so far and for seting global standards and benchmarks in agronomy.”
Craig Ratajczyk, Chief Executive Officer, Crop One said: “Ater significant planning and construction, and navigating the unforeseen challenges of the pandemic, we’re thrilled to celebrate this tremendous milestone alongside our joint venture partner, Emirates Flight Catering. It’s our mission to cultivate a sustainable future to meet global demand for fresh, local food, and this first large format farm is the manifestation of that commitment. This new facility serves as a model for what’s possible around the globe.”
The unique initiative embodies the UAE’S vision for generating solutions for the world’s greatest challenges and advancing innovation for creating a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow: VP.