Why this is important to Wisconsin businesses: Wisconsin agricultural technology businesses could find opportunities to nourish the growing trend.
Growing food in one of the world’s harshest desert climates isn’t easy, but the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking on that challenge.
The UAE imports 80% of its food because it has not been able to grow many crops via traditional means. But agricultural technology is helping to turn that around. Vertical farming, hydroponics, and aquaculture are the key innovations the UAE is embracing, through partnerships with other countries and research institutions.
The UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051 calls for investing in research and development, encouraging public-private partnerships, and incorporating smart technologies in the food chain.
Currently ranked No. 21 of the 113 countries on the Global Food Security Index, the UAE has set a goal to rank among the top 10 countries by 2021 and No. 1 in the world by 2051, according to the World Economic Forum. The UAE hopes that by then, half of all the food residents eat will be produced locally,
These are among recent developments:
• Bustanica, a partnership between Crop One and Emirates Airlines, opened in 2022 in Dubai. The $40 million vertical farm is the world’s largest hydroponic farm. It grows high-quality, leafy greens without herbicides or pesticides.
• AeroFarms partnered with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office to build a state-of-the-art, 65,000-square-foot research and development center to advance innovative growing technologies.
• Pure Harvest Smart Farms inked a $150 million partnership with Richel Group to establish new greenhouses across the region.
AgTech Digest said the UAE has become a “frontrunner” in integrating agricultural technology.
Wisconsin companies involved in innovative ag tech could have significant opportunities for collaboration in the UAE.
