ImpactAlpha, June 27 – The partners are forming a $40 million joint venture to build a large indoor farm in Dubai to supply to Emirates’ in-flight catering, as well as the more than 100 other airlines operating out of Dubai airport and Dubai’s airport lounges. Because of its inhospitable climate, Dubai grows very little of its own food. The emirate has recently been investing in indoor farming technology and facilities. Its first commercial vertical farm launched in March. Last June, Dubai’s Sheikh invested in New Jersey-based AeroFarms and last November a UAE innovation fund participated in seed funding for greenhouse produce producer Green Harvest.
- Size matters… Crop One and Emirates’ claim its planned 130,000 square foot farm will be the largest vertical farm constructed to date, and will be about three-times larger than California-based Crop One’s other farms.
- Coming soon… The farm will be completed by November 2019, with its first produce ready by December 2019. It will be able to yield three tons of greens at any given time, using up to 99% less water than standard agriculture.
