Gulf Agriculture magazine High resolution(1) | Page 6

NEWS UPDATE Pioneering the future of farming: GCC's first vertical farm launches in Dubai The GCC's first commercial vertical indoor farm, Badia Farms, has launched in Dubai with ambitious plans to pioneer the future of the region's agriculture industry. Using the latest hydroponic technology and vertical farming techniques, the farm produces nutritious and 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's hostile growing environment remains a major barrier to the agriculture industry, resulting in heavy reliance on food imports, with the UAE currently importing more than 80% of its food requirements. EuroTier and EnergyDecentral 2018 will be an excellent information platform for Gulf state farmers 3OHDVHYLVLWXV +DOO( &ODVVLFDO5REXVW/D\HUV (JJV:HHNV %DODGL7\SHRI&KLFNV 6XLWHGIRU+RW&OLPDWH ZZZGRPLQDQWF]F] 4 GULF AGRICULTURE Five-day DLG visit to Saudi Arabia organized by GESALO - Me