In pics: Sheikh Mohammed tours world’s largest vertical farm in Dubai
The hydroponic facility is capable of producing over 1,000,000kg of leafy greens annually
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, toured the world’s largest vertical hydroponic farm in Dubai.
The recently opened farm, known as Emirates Crop One (ECO 1), spans across an area of 330,000 sqft. The $40m facility was developed in a joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering and Crop One, official news agency WAM reported.
Read: Emirates Flight Catering opens world’s largest vertical farm in Dubai
The leafy greens grown in the facility include lettuce, arugula, mixed salad greens and spinach. The produce will be used for catering for passengers on Emirates and other airlines.
Sheikh Mohammed said the initiative reflects the country’s commitment to food security by fostering sustainable food production systems and resilient agricultural practices.
.@HHShkMohd tours world’s largest vertical hydroponic farm that recently opened in #Dubai. Accompanying His Highness on the tour @MaktoumMohammed pic.twitter.com/CPWbOr9XOy
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) September 13, 2022
“The UAE will continue to make the right investments in technologies and people to make food production and supply more agile and sustainable,” he added.
Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the facility is geared to produce more than 1,000,000 kilograms of leafy greens annually, requiring 95 per cent less water than conventional agriculture.
The facility, at any point, can grow in excess of one million plants, which provides an output of 3,000kg per day.
People in the UAE will be able to buy the produce at stores under the Bustanica brand.