With the increasing emphasis on global resource allocation and food security issues, many countries are making efforts in various aspects such as food preservation, developing irrigation methods, and increasing the production of edible crops and vegetables. Examples include Norway's Seed Vault (Svalbard Global Seed Vault) and Israel's Drip Irrigation System. Another recent initiative is the "GigaFarm," a super large vertical farm being constructed and implemented by the United Arab Emirates.

GigaFarm Project to Construct Vertical Farm with 83,000 Square Meters

In 2022, Dubai announced the inauguration of the world's largest Vertical Farm. Spanning approximately 31,000 square meters, this indoor farm is situated within the Al Maktoum International Airport, about 40 kilometers from downtown Dubai. Stacked tower crates within the farm house various crops, thriving with minimal soil and water, yielding up to approximately one million kilograms of high-quality vegetables annually.

However, on the other side of Dubai, the implementation of the GigaFarm project has already begun, aiming to construct a 'mega farm.' This mega farm project was initiated by Dubai authorities during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), through a partnership with the emerging agricultural company 'ReFarm.' The project involves building a new vertical farm reaching 12 meters in height, covering an area of approximately 83,000 square meters. Not only is it larger than the previous vertical farm, but its operational methods are also different, aiming for greater efficiency in production.

According to CNN, this project, which costs $320 million (approximately NT$10 billion), is set to commence construction by the end of this 2024, with an anticipated official launch in 2026.

Making Agriculture Earth-Friendly: Growing Vegetables Can Offset 1% of UAE's Food Imports.

GigaFarm will incorporate a range of specialized technologies to transform potential waste such as wastewater and food residues into fertilizers, animal feed, irrigation water, and even energy. Oliver Christof, CEO of the major corporation 'Christof Global Impact' behind ReFarm, stated that this 'self-sustaining' technology not only reduces carbon emissions during vegetable cultivation and production but also yields approximately 3 million tons of vegetables and spices, offsetting 1% of the UAE's food imports.

GigaFarm's vertical farm collaborates with the Scottish agricultural startup company Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS), utilizing 'growth towers' resembling car parking towers to stack crops layer by layer. Through creating and controlling the optimal environment for crop growth, watering and fertilizing are provided to plants in a timely and precise manner.

In essence, the cultivation method of vertical farming primarily relies on hydroponics, and GigaFarm is no exception. Each crop on every tray utilizes the same growing medium, such as compost or coconut fiber, eliminating the use of traditional soil. Additionally, LED light bars installed beneath each tray provide the necessary 'artificial sunlight' for the lower-tier crops. Factors such as temperature, humidity, water levels, and nutrient composition, which may affect the speed and quality of crop growth, are controlled based on the current condition of the plants.

Striving for Self-Sufficiency: Could UAE's Efforts Change Future Food Import Needs?

In light of last year's COP28 held in Dubai, themed 'food security,' local governments have gained a clearer understanding of their domestic food import issues.

Rohit Sharma, a supply chain expert at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD), states that the UAE still heavily relies on imports for its food needs. Up to 85% of the country's food is imported from other nations, making it vulnerable to disruptions or delays in the supply chain. Previous events such as pandemics and the Ukraine-Russia conflict serve as prime examples of the impact such disruptions can have on the local food supply.

While the UAE aims to reduce its reliance on imported vegetables and other crops by constructing vertical farms, making these vertical farms economically viable may require additional time and investment in research. Moreover, expanding the variety of crops that can be grown vertically would be crucial.

※ The following text is reprinted with permission from 'The News Analysis Network.' The original article titled 'UAE Plans 'GigaFarm,' Yielding Vegetables Equivalent to 1% of Food Imports' is not subject to CC licensing terms.

Reference:

*CNN（2024.3.13），Vertical farming: This GigaFarm in Dubai’s desert could produce 3 million kilograms of food

*Dubaieye 103.8（2023.12.6），Dubai to build 'GigaFarm', able to replace 1％ of UAE food imports

*The National News（2023.12.6），Dubai's Food Tech Valley and ReFarm to build a hi-tech gigafarm

Source:
Environmental Information Center