Global politics and the climate crisis have increased the need for vertical farming, according to experts speaking at a Dubai conference on Thursday.
Vertical farming involves growing crops stacked on top of each other to make the most of available space.
Commentators have described the method as the future of food production, especially with space increasingly at a premium as urban centres expand to cope with growing populations.
But experts on Thursday said the emerging sector's time may have already arrived.
“Geopolitical events and climate change have sharpened the focus on the need for vertical farming,” said Jamie Burrows, founder and chief executive of Vertical Future, which designs and builds vertical farms.
“A lot of it links back to climate change and the war in Ukraine, which have had an impact on the cost of energy and commodities.
“Ukraine is the bread basket of Europe really. To say that hasn't had an impact would be completely missing the point.
“I think it has heightened awareness and has increased the need for sustainable solutions.”
He was speaking at the Global Vertical Farming Show in Dubai on Thursday.
Demand on the rise
“There is an unmet demand for vertical farm products and the UAE imports more than 80 per cent of its food,” he said.
“We're seeing a massive increase in food insecurity, and global supply chains are a mess.
“Climate change is creating fluctuations in countries that export food to the UAE.
“This unavailability [of food] is only really starting as well, that's why there needs to be local solutions.”
In the first half of 2022 the UAE imported 41,000 tonnes of food a day, according to figures released by CSO Italy, a consortium of Italian food companies.
Food security is a topic close to the heart of Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment.
’Food security is one of the most important strategic directions for the UAE, given the challenges the country faces regarding the scarcity of arable land and water,” said Ms Al Mheiri in April.
“Additionally, economic and political changes taking place across the world increase pressures on the food systems in the country and make it necessary to continue working more quickly and more efficiently to enhance national food security.’’
Tackling food insecurity
Last month, the UAE urged the international community to take greater action to overcome food insecurity.
The UAE and the US also jointly launched the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate earlier this year, which has raised more than $13 billion to accelerate change.
One UAE-based firm getting behind the demand for more locally produced food is Al Aliyo Hydro Farms, which grows vegetables and fodder for animals in Sharjah.
The company started two years ago, in response to a growing demand for healthier food during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The challenges for us have been education and awareness,” said Tarannum Malik, managing director of the farm.
“After Covid, everyone wanted to eat better and look after themselves more.
“There is perception that fresh, local produce is more expensive. People are prepared to pay a little more, within reason, if they know they are getting healthy food but we have to make sure our food is still within the pocket of the common man.”
Climate change has played a significant role in pushing vertical farming to the front of the conversation, said another expert at the forum.
“Climate change is affecting every country in every part of the world right now,” said Novica Grgurevic, vice president of vertical farming company Greenstate.
“You're going to see an awful lot more vertical farming in the near future.
“More countries than ever are looking at it as a means of resolving some of their food security issues.”
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
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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
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
