ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, has announced the launch of the ZERO vertical farming project, the first of several controlled environment agricultural concepts housed in its cutting-edge AgTech Park ecosystem. The project aims to enhance indoor farming locally and explore and push the boundaries of desert-climate farming in the UAE. The inaugural farming facility is in KEZAD, the UAE’s largest operator and developer of fully integrated and specialized economic zones. The pilot phase is expected to conclude in the summer of 2023. The full-scale, 200-hectare AgTech Park aims to target production volumes of over 40 kilotons of fresh fruits and vegetables annually, accounting for up to 6% and 12% of the UAE’s total consumption and import of the produce grown within the park.
According to Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi, Managing Director and AD Ports Group CEO, the park’s breakthrough technology will allow the UAE to contribute to shortening and “greening” the food value chain, which is a top priority for policymakers around the world. As the UAE strides towards strengthening self-sufficiency in critical sectors, ADQ has anchored itself as a leader in the food and agriculture sector to drive Abu Dhabi’s resilience for future generations, uniting national champions with regional growth ambitions and home-grown brands addressing market gaps within its thriving priority clusters.
The MENA Region Activity In CEA: An Accelerating Expansion
Several companies have been making moves in the MENA region in recent months. Aerofarms has opened a facility in Abu Dhabi and plans to open several other facilities in Saudi Arabia and Qatar. iFarm has also moved its headquarters to Abu Dhabi’s Hub71. In contrast, RedSea opened its facility in Abu Dhabi and planned to open several others in the region in partnership with local companies. Pure Harvest has also partnered with NADEC foods to open additional regional facilities.
Governments have also invested, as illustrated by Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman Bin Abdul Mohsen Al-Fadhli revealed a plan to invest SAR 4 billion (USD 1Bn) in expanding the country’s plant resources sector and greenhouses by 2025. The move is part of the government’s efforts to improve the agriculture sector, boost the local food industry, and create new job opportunities. With this investment, Saudi Arabia hopes to expand its plant resources by 1.6 billion seedlings and increase the cultivated area by 40,000 hectares. This ambitious plan aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to reduce the country’s dependence on oil revenues and diversify its economy.
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