New high-tech greenhouse project launched to bolster UAE’s food resilience

ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, and Safe Haven Solutions, a Netherlands-based climate-smart agriculture solution provider, have commenced on a project to construct a high-tech greenhouse at ADQ’s AgTech Park in KEZAD.

The automated 10-hectare facility will leverage advanced agriculture technology to increase sustainable food production in the UAE.

Designed with sustainability considerations, the greenhouse facility will operate with an efficient cooling system that reduces its carbon and water footprint, enabling the year-round cultivation of tomatoes and cucumbers in a carbon-neutral, climate-controlled environment. In phase two, the project will enter the commercial stage and double the growing area of crops to 20 hectares.

The project's scalability aims to minimize food waste by aligning production with local market demand. Safe Haven Solutions’ horticulture experts will collaborate with local researchers and agronomists to encourage the development of technology that is ideally adapted to the local climate and growing conditions, while training facilities will enable knowledge transfer to Emirati talent to nurture the next generation of specialized growers.

“Our partnership with Safe Haven Solutions expands on our mission to increase Abu Dhabi’s sustainable agricultural footprint,” said Gil Adotevi, chief executive officer, food & agriculture at ADQ. “By driving investments in agtech solutions, we are strengthening the UAE’s ability to grow more produce domestically.”

Dr. Nadeem Mohammed Aslam, co-founder of Safe Haven Solutions, added: “Sustainable agriculture is of paramount importance as we strive to strengthen food security and limit our impact on the environment. We are confident that the AgTech Park, paired with our innovative technologies, will help strengthen the foundation of the UAE’s agriculture sector as it accelerates towards securing year-round access to nutritious food that feeds a growing nation.”

ADQ’s collaboration with Safe Haven Solutions represents another project launched within the AgTech Park in KEZAD. Earlier this year, ADQ commenced the operational phase of the park with the launch of a vertical farming project in partnership with ZERO, a high-impact technology company headquartered in Italy.

Learn more about creating a sustainable food supply in arid landscapes at the AgraME event, 9-10 October 2023, Dubai.