This is another amazing achievement for Dubai as Emirates has opened the world’s largest vertical farming plant in Dubai. It is a $40 million joint venture with US-based Crop One, as the UAE continues to strengthen its food and water security.
This vertical farm uses a closed-loop system designed to circulate water through the plants, ultimately reducing water usage. When the water vaporizes, it is recovered and recycled into the system. This method will use 95 per cent less water than traditional farming and saving 250 million liters of water.
Bustanica is the 330,000 square-foot hydroponic farm located near Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). It will grow more than a million kilograms of leafy greens annually or about 3,000kg per day. Bustanica will grow fresh produce without pesticides, herbicides or chemicals.
Bustanica is the first facility for Emirates Crop One, a joint venture between Emirates’ flight catering unit and indoor vertical farming firm Crop One.
Emirates Flight Catering supplies in-flight food for Emirates and other airlines at Dubai International Airport. Passengers on Emirates and other airlines can start consuming these leafy greens, including lettuces, arugula, mixed salad greens and spinach, onboard flights from this month.
UAE consumers will also soon be able to add these greens to their shopping carts at the nearest supermarkets. Bustanica also plans to expand into the production and sale of fruits and other vegetables.
“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.” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Group.
“Bustanica will secure Emirates Flight Catering’s supply chain and reduce its carbon footprint. It will do so by bringing production closer to consumption and reducing the food journey from farm to fork” Sheikh Ahmed said.
Many attempts have been made to localize agriculture and the UAE residents are already seeing the evidence of these efforts. Locally harvested produce at the market or on dining menus is now a common sight. We are loving and supporting this endeavor to make Dubai a better place.
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