Emirates has presented Bustanica, the first vertical grow site from Emirates Crop One, a joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering and Crop One, an industry leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming. It is said to be the world’s largest hydroponic farm.
Bustanica represents an investment of US$40 million and will produce over one million kilos of leafy greens that are free from pesticides, herbicides and chemicals per year. The 30,658 sqm farm has a closed-loop system designed to circulate water through the plants to maximise water usage and efficiency, consuming 95% less water than conventional agriculture. After evaporation, it is recovered and recycled into the system, saving 250 million litres of water every year compared to traditional outdoor farming for the same output.
The facility is able to grow and provide an output of 3,000kgs per day at any time, thanks to its indoor infrastructure, which means it is not affected by weather or pests. Further on, the site will also grow fruits and vegetables.
Managed by a specialised in-house team of agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists and plant scientists, Bustanica is driven by machine learning and artificial intelligence. A continuous production cycle ensures the produce is “super fresh and clean”.
Bustanica will provide passengers on Emirates flights, as well as other airlines it caters to, freshly grown greens, such as lettuces, arugula, mixed salad greens and spinach. Additionally, UAE consumers will soon be able to find them at the nearest supermarkets.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group said: “Long-term food security and self-sufficiency are vital to the economic growth of any country, and the UAE is no exception. We’ve specific challenges in our region, given the limitations around arable land and climate.
“Bustanica ushers in a new era of innovation and investments, which are important steps for sustainable growth and align with our country’s well-defined food and water security strategies.
“Emirates Flight Catering constantly invests in the latest technologies to delight customers, optimise operations, and minimise our environmental footprint. Bustanica helps secure our supply chain, and ensures our customers can enjoy locally sourced, nutritious produce.
“By bringing production closer to consumption, we’re reducing the food journey from farm to fork. Congratulations to the Bustanica team for their remarkable achievements so far and for setting global standards and benchmarks in agronomy.”
Craig Ratajczyk, chief executive officer of Crop One, says: “After significant planning and construction, and navigating the unforeseen challenges of the pandemic, we’re thrilled to celebrate this tremendous milestone alongside our joint venture partner, Emirates Flight Catering.
“It’s our mission to cultivate a sustainable future to meet global demand for fresh, local food, and this first large format farm is the manifestation of that commitment. This new facility serves as a model for what’s possible around the globe.”
