Key Takeaways:
- ReFarm Global is developing the world’s first GigaFarm at Dubai Food Tech Valley, in partnership with UK-based vertical farming company IGS.
- IGS has shipped the first major consignment of Growth Trays with Lights (GTLs), a core component of its vertical farming towers.
- The 900,000 sq. ft. GigaFarm will combine six technologies in a closed-loop system to improve food security and reduce food waste.
- The facility is expected to produce over three million kilograms of fresh produce annually.
- UK and UAE government officials have expressed support for the project’s potential impact on sustainable agriculture and trade.
ReFarm Global Advances UAE GigaFarm as IGS Ships Core Vertical Farming Components
ReFarm Global, a Dubai-based agrifood company, is moving forward with the construction of the world’s first GigaFarm, located at Dubai Food Tech Valley, through its collaboration with Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS). The milestone follows the shipment of 800 Growth Trays with Lights (GTLs) from IGS in the UK to the UAE, marking the first major delivery of vertical farming infrastructure to the site.
The GTLs are key components of IGS’s 12-metre-high vertical farming towers, enabling precision climate control for year-round crop production in challenging environments. The equipment forms part of a broader initiative to establish an integrated, resource-efficient food production hub.
“This marks a significant milestone as we begin shipment of the technology which can help unlock a more sustainable era of food production,” said Andrew Lloyd, CEO of IGS.
ReFarm Global’s GigaFarm Combines Multiple Technologies in a Closed-Loop Ecosystem
Addressing Food Security and Circularity in the UAE
The GigaFarm, developed by ReFarm Global, spans 900,000 square feet and will co-locate six complementary agricultural technologies, including vertical farming, to create a closed-loop, zero-waste food production system. Once operational, the facility will:
- Produce more than 3 million kilograms of crops annually
- Divert over 50,000 tonnes of food waste from landfill
- Replace an estimated 1% of the UAE’s fresh produce imports
- Support the country’s broader goals of decarbonising food systems
The project broke ground in November 2024, and food production is expected to begin later this year.
International Trade and Innovation Supported by UK and UAE Governments
The initiative has drawn support from both the UK and UAE as a model of bilateral collaboration in agricultural innovation and trade.
“Our Plan for Change is backing British business to take advantage of opportunities to export abroad,” said Gareth Thomas, UK Minister for Exports. “It’s exciting to see the next phase of IGS’ world-leading vertical farming technology.”
Government engagement follows a visit by the UK’s Business and Trade Secretary to the GigaFarm site in 2023, reflecting ongoing efforts to promote UK agtech solutions in global markets.
ReFarm Global and IGS Partnership Targets Sustainable Crop Production in Arid Environments
Scaling Resource-Efficient Agriculture in the Gulf Region
With its arid climate and high reliance on food imports, the UAE faces significant challenges in securing sustainable fresh produce. The technologies supplied by IGS—specifically the patented GTLs—are designed to optimize productivity while minimizing water, land, and energy usage.
“Our GTLs enhance both productivity and resource efficiency, which is particularly vital in the UAE’s climate,” noted Lloyd.
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