Producing more food per square meter and using less water than traditional farming methods, vertical farming seems well suited to the arid climate of the United Arab Emirates.

 

Local media reports that after a 300,000 square foot (27,871 m2) vertical farm in Dubai was commissioned last year to grow leafy greens, a new vertical farm in Abu Dhabi of 65 000 square feet (6,039 m2) opened. Dedicated to research and development, through the improvement of genetics and seedling quality, the farm is expected to test several crops, including tomatoes and peppers.

 

Vertical farming requires significant investments in infrastructure and technologies as well as energy inputs (lighting, cooling, heating) but these farms have 3 times the harvest cycle in the same period (25 days instead of 75 days of traditional agriculture).

 

This can meet the demand for locally grown fresh produce and contribute to food security by reducing the country's dependence on imports.