The United Arab Emirates has allocated 7,600 square metres of land to establish 12 vertical farms in the city of Dubai under a partnership with a local biotechnology firm, Shalimar Biotech Industries. The five-year cooperation agreement seeks to promote new agricultural technologies and achieve sustainable year-round crop production.

To encourage innovation in agriculture, with the aim of enhancing the UAE’s food security and diversity, more public-private partnership is needed.

Vertical farming has a significantly smaller carbon footprint than traditional farming. The method reduces agricultural waste, risk of infection and spread of agricultural pests, achieve year-round crop production, and mitigate thermal emissions from agricultural processes.

Shalimar Biotech Industries will build 12 vertical farms complete with infrastructure facilities including a water desalination plant, climate-control air conditioning, LED lighting and automatic irrigation systems on 7,600 square metres of land.

The facility will have a production output equivalent to 900 acres of farmland. It will harvest 2,700 kg of high-quality, herbicide-free and pesticide-free leafy greens daily, using 99% less water than outdoor fields. It will also provide an educational centre for local farmers, students and researchers.

Photo by Erwan Hesry on Unsplash