Vertical farming facility. The state-of-the-art facility will harvest three US tons (2,700 kg) of herbicide-free produce. Courtesy Emirates
Vertical farming facility. The state-of-the-art facility will harvest three US tons (2,700 kg) of herbicide-free produce. Courtesy Emirates
Vertical farming facility. The state-of-the-art facility will harvest three US tons (2,700 kg) of herbicide-free produce. Courtesy Emirates
Vertical farming facility. The state-of-the-art facility will harvest three US tons (2,700 kg) of herbicide-free produce. Courtesy Emirates

Emirates to build Dh147m vertical farming factory near Dubai airport to produce food for passengers


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Emirates Airlines will build the world’s largest vertical farming facility in Dubai, in a $40 million (Dh147 million) partnership with Crop One, a California-based firm.

The airline said the 130,000 square foot facility will be located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central.

At full productivity the project will produce 2,700kg of herbicide-free and pesticide-free leafy greens every day.

The cost of growing fresh produce in the UAE is exceptionally high. As The National reported this week, the costs have forced some Fujairah farmers to give up growing fruit and vegetables altogether.

Vertical farming is a technique with a significantly smaller carbon footprint than traditional farming. The facility is predicted to use 99 per cent less water than outdoor fields with only 0.003 per cent of the space. It will cover 130,000 square feet and will produce the equivalent of 900 acres of farmland.

Fresh vegetables will not need to be imported from abroad, and will have a very short trip to customers at the airport.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, says such projects will lead to greater "self sufficiency" for the emirate.

“This investment to build and operate the world’s largest vertical farming facility aligns with the UAE’s drive for more agricultural self-sufficiency, a vision which began with the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father.

“The introduction of ground-breaking technology at the facility also enhances Dubai’s position as a global innovation hub.”

Vertical farming facility. The state-of-the-art facility will harvest three US tons (2,700 kg) of herbicide-free produce. Courtesy Emirates
Vertical farming facility. The state-of-the-art facility will harvest three US tons (2,700 kg) of herbicide-free produce. Courtesy Emirates

Emirates Flight Catering, a subsidiary of Emirates group, supply in-flight food for Emirate’s airlines and all other airlines based at Dubai International Airport.

“Our proven business model has demonstrated profitable commercial production longer than any other major vertical farmer,” said Sonia Lo, chief executive officer of Crop One Holdings.

“We are farmers using the most sophisticated plant science and proven business efficiencies to provide market leading consumer products every day.

“Our selection after a 10-month search by EKFC is a validation of our successful business model that uses patented technology and processes to optimize crop yields and facilitate hyper-growth.”

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Read more:

GCC’s first commercial vertical farm launches in Dubai 

UAE’s emphasis on Food Security vital for country’s social and economic development

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Vertical farming is seen as an environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable solution to the UAE’s future food supply.

In March 2018 the UAE's first commercial farm, Badia Farms, opened in Dubai.

Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, officially inaugurated Badia Farms, describing it at the time as an “exceptional example of how the UAE’s agricultural industry can thrive while protecting our environment for future generations.”

The Gulf’s warm and dry climate means it is hard to grow leafy greens, with water a precious resource particularly during the summer months.

Emirate’s customers could be eating vertically produced leafy greens by the end of next year. Construction on the farm is due to begin by November 2018, and the project is hoped to be finished by December 2019.

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

T20 World Cup Qualifier fixtures

Tuesday, October 29

Qualifier one, 2.10pm – Netherlands v UAE

Qualifier two, 7.30pm – Namibia v Oman

Wednesday, October 30

Qualifier three, 2.10pm – Scotland v loser of qualifier one

Qualifier four, 7.30pm – Hong Kong v loser of qualifier two

Thursday, October 31

Fifth-place playoff, 2.10pm – winner of qualifier three v winner of qualifier four

Friday, November 1

Semi-final one, 2.10pm – Ireland v winner of qualifier one

Semi-final two, 7.30pm – PNG v winner of qualifier two

Saturday, November 2

Third-place playoff, 2.10pm

Final, 7.30pm

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MEYDAN CARD

6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m

8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m

10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m

10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

The National selections:

6.30pm AF Alwajel

7.05pm Ekhtiyaar

7.40pm First View

8.15pm Benbatl

8.50pm Zakouski

9.25pm: Kimbear

10pm: Chasing Dreams

10.35pm: Good Fortune

The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo

Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000

Engine: 5.6-litre V8

Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm

Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Water waste

In the UAE’s arid climate, small shrubs, bushes and flower beds usually require about six litres of water per square metre, daily. That increases to 12 litres per square metre a day for small trees, and 300 litres for palm trees.

Horticulturists suggest the best time for watering is before 8am or after 6pm, when water won't be dried up by the sun.

A global report published by the Water Resources Institute in August, ranked the UAE 10th out of 164 nations where water supplies are most stretched.

The Emirates is the world’s third largest per capita water consumer after the US and Canada.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog

Age: 46

Number of Children: Four

Hobby: Reading history books

Loves: Sports

ELIO

Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

Rating: 4/5

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.6-litre%2C%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Eeight-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E285hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E353Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDh159%2C900%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

ITU Abu Dhabi World Triathlon

For more information go to www.abudhabi.triathlon.org.

How tumultuous protests grew
  • A fuel tax protest by French drivers appealed to wider anti-government sentiment
  • Unlike previous French demonstrations there was no trade union or organised movement involved 
  • Demonstrators responded to online petitions and flooded squares to block traffic
  • At its height there were almost 300,000 on the streets in support
  • Named after the high visibility jackets that drivers must keep in cars 
  • Clashes soon turned violent as thousands fought with police at cordons
  • An estimated two dozen people lost eyes and many others were admitted to hospital 
While you're here
Rankings

ATP: 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,955 pts; 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 8,320; 3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,475 ( 1); 5. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 5,060 ( 1); 6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,845 ( 1); 6. Roger Federer (SUI) 4,600 (-3); 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,110 ( 2); 8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,960; 9. John Isner (USA) 3,155 ( 1); 10. Marin Cilic (CRO) 3,140 (-3)

WTA: 1. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 7,030 pts ( 3); 2. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6,290 ( 4); 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 5,582 (-2); 4. Sloane Stephens (USA) 5,307 ( 1); 5. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,100 ( 3); 6. Angelique Kerber (GER) 4,965 (-4); 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,940; 8. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,430 ( 1); 9. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,566 (-6); 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,485 ( 1)

Aayan%E2%80%99s%20records
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