Hundreds of miles of sand, scorching hot temperatures and very little rain, usually just several days a year, certainly doesn’t sound like ideal conditions for industrial scale agriculture. But that’s exactly what might happen, with Abu Dhabi announcing a plan to ‘make the desert turn green’ by building the world’s biggest indoor vertical farm.
The plans for a 8200 m2 building, which will be climate-controlled and stacked high with multiple layers of lettuce, cabbage, tomato and cucumber seedling, could help the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) significantly reduce its reliance on the import of fresh fruits and vegetables. Vertical farming uses artificial light, environmentally friendly soil substitutes and extremely efficient use of water – up to 95% less than used in traditional farming.
The new vertical farming centre is being bankrolled by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, which last week announced details of £80 million of funding for four agricultural technology projects. As well as the vertical farming facility that will defy the scorching desert sun, the investments include funding for the world’s first ever commercial-scale tomato farm based on artificial LED lighting.
The vertical farm centre will be run by U.S. agritech start-up Aerofarms, which operates similar facilities in America. Advocates of indoor vertical farming claim that despite high electricity usage to power artificial lighting and air conditioning, it is much more efficient than tradition farming, reducing environmental impact. It could also significantly reduce the need for fresh products to be transported often hundreds of miles or even half way across the world. Many more products can be grown in proximity to their marketplace.
That’s particularly important for the UAE, which has to import around 80% of its food needs. A growing population and geo-political instability in the region are further reasons why it makes sense for Abu Dhabi to invest in the latest indoor farming technology.
Madar Farms, the company behind the indoor tomato farm, is constructing its facilities in the Kizad industrial zone, which lies between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. CEO Abdulaziz al-Mulla hopes to produce a tonne of tomatoes every day, as well as beating imports for taste:
“We can cut the supply chain to hours, rather than days. This means our produce will not only be rich in flavour but will not lose its nutrients by the time it’s consumed.”
The company is already producing lettuce and other leafy greens inside old shipping containers near to Abu Dhabi international airport. Artificial lighting keeps the plants at a consistent 17C and switches between red and blue hues to simulate night and day lighting.
Abu Dhabi’s interest in indoor farming is also apparent in other emirates including Dubai and Sharjah. Projects being invested in include research into ‘aquaponics’, where fish are farmed alongside edible plants and herbs including quinoa and millet.
Through its Adio fund, Abu Dhabi is also investing in companies specialising in developing indoor farming technology and techniques. In total Adio plans a total £215 million investment in agriculture companies over the next couple of years. The fund’s director general Tariq bin Hendi commented that the aim is “to turn sand into farmland”.
“In line with Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision to grow the sector, Adio partners with companies that have innovation at the core to help to ensure long-term success. Each of these companies will benefit from our plentiful land, natural heat, our competitive energy prices and access to research universities and skilled talent.”
Market researcher Global Market Insights estimates the global value of the vertical farming market to reach £11 billion a year by 2024, from £2 billion in 2017.