A farm in Abu Dhabi. To increase domestic food production, the emirate is bringing agriculture inside and investing heavily in research. Victor Besa
A farm in Abu Dhabi. To increase domestic food production, the emirate is bringing agriculture inside and investing heavily in research. Victor Besa
A farm in Abu Dhabi. To increase domestic food production, the emirate is bringing agriculture inside and investing heavily in research. Victor Besa
A farm in Abu Dhabi. To increase domestic food production, the emirate is bringing agriculture inside and investing heavily in research. Victor Besa

World's biggest vertical farming R&D centre breaks ground in Abu Dhabi


Kelsey Warner
  • English
  • Arabic

Vertical farming company AeroFarms has started construction in Abu Dhabi on a 8,200-square-metre research and development centre, the largest in the world, which aims to advance sustainable agriculture in arid climates.

AeroFarms AgX, the New Jersey company's wholly owned subsidiary in the UAE, is part of a group of four agriculture technology ventures to share in a $150 million investment from Abu Dhabi Investment Office, announced in April 2020, to bring cutting-edge research to the capital to improve food security.

“This important milestone for AeroFarms AgX is another step in the realisation of Abu Dhabi’s mission to ‘turn the desert green’," Tariq Bin Hendi, director general of Adio, said.

Food security and innovation in agriculture are priorities for the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi government has earmarked Dh1 billion ($272m) for the agricultural technology incentive programme as part of its Ghadan 21 accelerator initiative.

While 90 per cent of the nation's food is imported, the UAE aims to increase domestic food production by "30 to 40 per cent in the next 10 years", Mariam Almheiri, Minister of State for Food and Water Security, said in an interview with Bloomberg in April.

UAE residents are already seeing evidence of recent efforts to localise agriculture: locally harvested produce at the market or on dining menus is now a common sight. Much of this surfaced over the past few years as vertical and hydroponic farming ventures, research and cloud-seeding bear fruit.

A rendering of the AeroFarms AgX site in Abu Dhabi, which will tackle food security challenges in arid climates. Courtesy AeroFarms
A rendering of the AeroFarms AgX site in Abu Dhabi, which will tackle food security challenges in arid climates. Courtesy AeroFarms

The site, expected to open in the first quarter of 2022, will employ 60 engineers, horticulturists and scientists and start with research and growing methods for lettuces, tomatoes and berries.

The R&D centre will have high-tech laboratories conducting advanced speed breeding, as well as robotics and automation research aimed at increasing food yields and reducing the resources needed to grow produce.

AeroFarms AgX also plans to partner with local universities on research projects to tackle problems agriculture faces in desert climates.

“This is an important development for AeroFarms as we expand globally," said David Rosenberg, co-founder and chief executive of AeroFarms.

"We are pleased to take this step forward and proud to be a catalyst for helping to establish the emirate of Abu Dhabi as a global hub for AgTech innovation.”

The company monitors 130,000 data points for every harvest and uses 5 per cent of the water consumed by a typical field.

The plants are not grown in water or soil but rely on aeroponics, which mists the crops with a balance of water and nutrients without the use of pesticides.

In March, the company announced it would go public on the Nasdaq under the new ticker symbol ARFM through a merger with Texas-based special purpose acquisition company Spring Valley Acquisition.

The deal gives the combined entity an equity value of about $1.2 billion.

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

MATCH INFO

Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')

Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')

Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

Result

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Brraq, Ryan Curatolo (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m; Winner: Bright Melody, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Naval Crown, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m; Winner: Volcanic Sky, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Zainhom, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

WIDE%20VIEW
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Past winners of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

2016 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)

2015 Nico Rosberg (Mercedes-GP)

2014 Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-GP)

2013 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)

2012 Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus)

2011 Lewis Hamilton (McLaren)

2010 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)

2009 Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull Racing)

 

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five new places of worship

Church of South Indian Parish

St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch

St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch

St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais

Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais

 

The candidates

Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800

The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

INFO

Visit www.wtatennis.com for more information

 

Third Test

Day 3, stumps

India 443-7 (d) & 54-5 (27 ov)
Australia 151

India lead by 346 runs with 5 wickets remaining

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

Games on BeIN Sports

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
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MATCH DETAILS

Chelsea 4 

Jorginho (4 pen, 71 pen), Azpilicueta (63), James (74)

Ajax 4

Abraham (2 og), Promes (20). Kepa (35 og), van de Beek (55) 

Traits of Chinese zodiac animals

Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent   

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Company%20Profile
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