Business Extra: Why Abu Dhabi is becoming a destination for modern farming


Kelsey Warner
  • English
  • Arabic

Eighteen months after breaking ground in Abu Dhabi, US vertical farming company AeroFarms has opened its 6,000-square-metre research and development centre, the largest in the world, with the aim of advancing sustainable agriculture in arid climates.

Advancing indoor vertical farming — which relies on precise environmental control systems, less water and none of the pesticides used in traditional farming — could transform the region's potential as an agricultural producer.

Host Kelsey Warner talks to David Rosenberg, the company's co-founder and chief executive, about where farming technology is at and the challenges that remain for the sector to tackle existential issues related to food security and energy consumption.

In this episode:

What is AeroFarms? (0m 44s)

Why tech makes sense in farming (6m 45s)

Are we late in solving the food and water crisis? (13m 45s)

Market conditions for later-stage start-ups (18m 34s)

Read more

World's biggest R&D vertical farm opens in Abu Dhabi to seed the future of food

Wheat farm in Sharjah prepares to welcome first harvest

AgTech company Silal to upgrade 80 farms in Abu Dhabi

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The bio

Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.

Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.

Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.

Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.

TEAMS

EUROPE:
Justin Rose, Francesco Molinari, Tyrrell Hatton, Tommy Fleetwood, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, Alex Noren, Thorbjorn Olesen, Paul Casey, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson

USA:
Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Jordan Spieth,​​​​​​​ Rickie Fowler, Webb Simpson, Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau ( 1 TBC)

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Various%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rosario%20Dawson%2C%20Natasha%20Liu%20Bordizzo%2C%20Lars%20Mikkelsen%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

Updated: February 23, 2023, 7:40 AM`
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