New vertical farm launched in Dubai Industrial City

New vertical farm launched in Dubai Industrial City

A new vertical farm is set to come up in Dubai Industrial City that will produce thousands of tonnes of fresh fruits and vegetables per year. High-tech agricultural firm Sokovo has signed an agreement with Dubai Industrial City to establish the hydroponic farm, which will grow fresh, pesticide-free produce, a statement said. Sokovo will grow fresh kale, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries and melons, and plans to supply hundreds of hypermarkets, hotels and chefs across the country. Processing and sorting equipment will sanitise and pack the produce for a farm-to-fork delivery system. The eco-friendly indoor facility will be built on a 100,000 sq ft plot and a retractable sunroof will be used to minimise electricity consumption. Rotating seven-metre-tall towers will also ensure all the crops get equal exposure to natural sunlight. All the produce will be grown sustainably, sold only within the country, and labeled 'Made in UAE', the statement added. "Growing melons, tomatoes, strawberries, and kale in an arid climate with limited water and arable land should be impossible, but the UAE's commitment to innovation-driven food security shows anything is possible," said Saud Abu Al-Shawareb, managing director of Dubai Industrial City. He said the new farm would support the UAE's