Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) and AeroFarms, inked a deal with QFZA and Doha Venture Capital (DVC) to build a commercial indoor vertical farm in Qatar Free Zones (QFZ) expanding its presence in the region.
The new commercial indoor vertical farm in Qatar will use AeroFarms’ latest generation of proprietary growing technology, which the company claims to achieve up to 390 times greater annual productivity per square meter than traditional field farming while using up to 95% less water and zero pesticides.
According to the release, local food production is expected to increase as a result of AeroFarms’ new technology, making high-quality food products available locally all year, reducing imports, and increasing the country’s self-sufficiency. The endeavor of AeroFarms in Qatar is expected to pave the way for more local and international private sector companies in this field to expand their operations in QFZ and capitalize on the innovative technologies in place.
“AeroFarms is a pioneer in the food space and vertical farming, and we’re delighted to welcome them to Qatar Free Zones,” said HE the Minister of State and Chairman of QFZA Ahmad al-Sayed in an interview with the media outlet. AeroFarms will join a rapidly growing community of innovators in the food and agritech cluster at QFZ, backed by world-leading logistical infrastructure and cold chain storage capabilities, as well as a shared commitment to technology, growth, and environmental awareness, as a result of this strategic partnership with the Ministry of Municipality and Doha Venture Capital. “We look forward to working with AeroFarms as they establish and scale in the region and beyond.”
“AeroFarms is committed to reimagining how and where our food is grown, and we are excited to expand further in Qatar as part of our longer-term commitment to the Middle East and North African region to enable local production and increase food resiliency,” said David Rosenberg, co-founder and CEO of AeroFarms. QFZA and DVC are excellent partners who share a long-term vision of how AgTech can positively disrupt and transform our food system in the face of increased macro pressures from traditional field farming.”
AeroFarms specialty greens are grown safely indoors in cutting-edge commercial indoor vertical farms that are certified for SQF Level 2 Good Manufacturing Practices, USDA Good Agricultural Practices, Non-GMO Project Verification, and the industry-leading CEA Food Safety Seal, which was developed to differentiate indoor clean growing practices from traditional field challenges. AeroFarms specialty greens are pesticide-free and ready to eat without washing, which is a significant benefit for customers seeking safety and convenience.
Qatar Free Zones is an important part of implementing Qatar’s National Food Security Strategy, as it is home to many food and agritech companies. The free zones provide investors with modern green infrastructure, and QFZA is committed to sustainability in all aspects of its operations. The free zones are designed to be as efficient as possible, utilizing a wide range of innovative technologies to help QFZA achieve its vision of becoming one of the world’s most sustainable free zone groups.
Image provided by AeroFarms
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