Built near the Al Maktoum International Airport, Bustanica, a 30,658 sqm vertical hydroponic farm, is now officially open in Dubai.
The farm is meant to produce more than 1,000,000 kgs of high-quality leafy greens annuallywill require 95% less water than conventional agriculture and and produce over one million kilos of produce annually that’s free of pesticides, herbicides and chemicals.
The facility will serve passengers on Emirates and other airlines as well as supermarkets. Bustanica also plans to expand into the production and sale of fruits and vegetables. In addition the farm supports the UAE’s National Food Strategy 2051 agenda and the UAE’s Water Security Strategy 2036.
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His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airlines said: “Long-term food security and self-sufficiency are vital to the growth of any country. We’ve specific challenges in our region, given the limitations around arable land and climate".
Bustanica is driven by technology including machine learning and artificial intelligence, it will have zero impact on the world’s threatened soil resources.
Consumers buying Bustanica’s greens from supermarkets can eat it straight from the bag.
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