Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, has said Dubai is committed to maintain the highest levels of food security through comprehensive plans.
Al Maktoum was on a tour of Bustanica, world’s largest vertical farm that recently opened in Dubai.
During the tour, Sheikh Hamdan was briefed on the innovative technologies used in the state-of-the-art hydroponic farm.
“We will continue launching new initiatives that apply modern farming techniques to accelerate self-sufficiency in fresh food produce and support sustainability, which is a top priority for us,” said Sheikh Hamdan.
“The Dubai Food Security Committee constantly reviews current opportunities and challenges within the national food security strategy framework,” he noted.
Our plans for “enhancing self-sufficiency” in agricultural sector through “technologies and applied research in food processing and agriculture” focuses on needs of “Dubai’s citizens and residents,” he added.
He said Dubai will continue pursuing ways to strengthen the emirate’s resilience and food sustainability irrespective of the global environment.
Bustanica facility is developed by Emirates Crop One, a joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering, one of the world’s largest catering operations, and Crop One, an industry leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming.
Backed by an investment of $40 million, the world’s largest hydroponic farm is spread over 330,000 square feet.
The vertical hydroponic farm is geared to produce more than 1,000,000 kilograms (kg) of high-quality leafy greens annually while requiring 95 percent less water than conventional agriculture.
At any point in time, the facility grows more than one million plants that provide an output of 3,000 kg per day.