Claiming to be the GCC's first commercial vertical indoor farm, Badia Farms has launched in Dubai.
Using hydroponic technology and vertical farming techniques, the farm produces pesticide-free leafy greens without the need for sunlight, soil or chemicals.
Badia Farms has been established by Saudi Arabian entrepreneur Omar Al Jundi and British agricultural expert Grahame Dunling, with a vision to develop sustainable and innovative solutions to growing food.
By 2030, global food demand is predicted to increase by 50%, putting pressure on governments to find a solution that provides food security. The region shows a heavy reliance on food imports, with the UAE currently importing more than 80% of its food requirements.
Al Jundi said in a statement: "Our mission is to provide fresh, nutritious and chemical free produce that is bursting with flavour and grown right here in Dubai. The UAE is one of the most popular places in the world for fine dining and hospitality, yet most of our food is imported, travelling thousands of miles before it reaches our plate. Through vertical indoor farming methods we can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint and grow leafy greens that are fresher, tastier and delivered from farm to table within hours."
The highly controlled environment, with technology and systems refined by Dunling, uses the most advanced hydroponic technology, chemical free nutrient-rich base and bespoke LED lighting system, to create the optimal quality and yield. The sustainable eco-system created at Badia Farms uses 90% less water than in open field farming.
Al Jundi added: “As a region that has struggled to grow crops due to largely hostile desert landscapes, our farm offers a viable solution to farming that produces harvests 365 days of the year. Importantly, we are able to do this sustainably, using minimal water that is recycled, maximising space, and with no chemicals or pesticides. Our first crops are leafy greens, but we are already in advanced stages of growing crops of other fresh produce through different farming models. This is the future of farming.”
The farm produces an extensive range of micro-greens and baby leaf herb varieties. The micro-greens, including arugula, kale, radish, red cabbage, basils, and mustard, are packed with antioxidants and rich in nutrients.
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