iFarm launches first vertical farm in the UAE

The first vertical farm in the UAE to use iFarm technologies has been set up in Dubai.

Operating under Mama Natura Greens brand, the farm produces ultra-fresh leafy greens, microgreens, edible flowers and more using advanced iFarm Multigreens technology.

The farm is located just a 30-minute drive from the heart of Dubai. Spanning a 784m² industrial building, the Green Farm optimizes space usage with vertical multi-level racks for seedlings and plants, resulting in a total growing area of 712m².

With a focus on serving the premium retail and HoReCa sectors, the farm aims to grow over three tonnes of produce per month. The ultra-fresh greens and herbs will be supplied to restaurants, hotels and resorts in Dubai, as well as retail chains such as Spinneys, Geant, Grandiose and Carrefour.

The UAE’s farm is the first in the world to grow crops using the new iFarm Multigreens technology. iFarm Multigreens allows a variety of crops to be grown in the same space: microgreens, baby leaves, multiple herb varieties, leafy greens, and edible flowers. This makes production very flexible and allows the farm to adapt its product range to business objectives and seasonality.

The main difference between iFarm Multigreens and other iFarm vertical farming technologies centers around the hydroponic system employed. The Dubai farm uses the Ebb & Flow system, also known as Flood & Drain, which involves the periodic flooding and draining of nutrient solutions.

The farm is managed by iFarm Growtune, an all-in-one IT-driven farm management software. It contains plant growth recipes, livestock management tools, farm business records, and other tools a farmer needs to achieve high-quality yield within a precisely predictable timeframe.

iFarm is currently negotiating the supply of farming equipment to several other customers in the UAE.

In addition to the UAE, iFarm's vertical farming technologies are already being used in vertical farms in France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and other countries around the world.

Read the SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2023 issue of New AG International, free to view here.