Automated agriculture in UAE: Pure, sanitary, and cultivated by computation

Automated agriculture in UAE: Pure, sanitary, and cultivated by computation

In the heart of the desert, where sand dunes prevail over salad bowls, a revolutionary change is brewing behind glass walls. Inside high-tech, climate-controlled vertical farms, tomatoes ripen untouched by pesticides, and lettuce flourishes in vertical towers - devoid of soil and sun. This isn't farming as you know it; it's the 21st-century makeover of agriculture.

Gone are the days of dirt beneath your nails and crop seasons that dictate your life. Smart tech now feeds smart cities, and in the Emirates, vertical farms are no longer futuristic novelties; they are rising in malls, warehouses, and hotel rooftops, feeding more than just the population - they're feeding a movement towards cleaner, smarter, more sustainable food.

At a time when water scarcity and climate disruption reign, the UAE isn't merely adapting; it's innovating. Mehlam Murtaza, the Executive Director at UNS Vertical Farms, explained to BTR magazine, "In our closed-loop hydroponic systems, we recycle water, delivering exact nutrients to the plant roots. We're essentially engineering micro-climates inside our farms - it's about growing smarter, not just harder."

The UAE's vertical farms eliminate the need for chemicals, ensuring safer, tastier produce. Sky Kurtz, CEO and Founder of Pure Harvest Smart Farms, said, "Our climate-controlled, closed-loop system keeps pests out, so we rely on beneficial insects or other natural interventions rather than chemicals." The result? Fresh produce without any health risks.

These high-tech farms nestle in places unexpected - shopping malls, hotel rooftops, even warehouse hubs. Sky Kurtz from Pure Harvest believes, "When we bring vertical farms into public spaces, it changes the way people think about agriculture. It's not something distant or industrial - it's fresh, it's accessible, it's sustainable."

The UAE's approach towards vertical farming extends beyond innovative technology. Folks are eager to adopt these sustainable practices, with a clear shift in grocery habits notably among younger generations. Sky Kurtz acknowledges, "Consumers are willing to pay a bit more for food that not only benefits them but benefits the planet. There's a real hunger for zero-mile, climate-conscious produce."

The future of food isn't in the fields anymore; it's growing up - high, tech-savvy, and sustainable. It's flourishing in vertical towers, thriving without soil, sunlight, and sometimes even water. The UAE's vertical farms symbolize the country's commitment to driving innovation, conserving resources, and promoting a more sustainable food system. Food that may have never touched soil, never seen a pesticide, and never traveled more than a few kilometers - yet may just be the most grounded thing on your plate.

1. In the UAE, vertical farms are increasingly becoming a common sight, rising in malls, warehouses, and hotel rooftops, feeding a movement towards cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable food.
2. Mehlam Murtaza, the Executive Director at UNS Vertical Farms, revealed that their closed-loop hydroponic systems recycle water and deliver exact nutrients to the plant roots, engineering micro-climates within their farms to grow smarter, not just harder.
3. Pure Harvest Smart Farms, another leader in the vertical farming industry, keeps pests out by relying on beneficial insects or other natural interventions, ensuring safer, tastier produce and eliminating the need for harmful chemicals.
4. The UAE's approach towards vertical farming extends beyond innovative technology, as folks are eager to adopt sustainable practices, notably among younger generations who are showing a clear shift in grocery habits.
5. Sky Kurtz from Pure Harvest Smart Farms pointed out that when vertical farms are brought into public spaces like shopping malls and hotel rooftops, it changes people's perception of agriculture, making it fresh, accessible, and sustainable.
6. The future of food seems to be high-tech, high-yield, and environmentally friendly, as vertical farms symbolize the UAE's commitment to driving innovation, conserving resources, and promoting a more sustainable food system.
7. Consumers are willing to pay a premium for food that not only benefits their health but also benefits the planet, with a growing preference for zero-mile, climate-conscious produce.
8. Fresh produce from vertical farms, which may have never touched soil, never seen a pesticide, and never traveled more than a few kilometers, may just be the most grounded thing on one's plate.
9. Apart from vertical farming, data and cloud computing also play a crucial role in the UAE's 21st-century agricultural makeover, as precision agriculture leverages data to optimize resource use, enhance crop yields, and promote sustainable living.

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