Kavan Choksi Explores How Vertical Farming Is Supporting Sustainable Food Systems Across the Emirates

In a region with limited arable land and harsh growing conditions, the UAE is building a new kind of agriculture, one that rises rather than spreads. Vertical farming and controlled environment systems are now central to the country’s strategy for sustainable food production. Kavan Choksi highlights how these innovations are helping the UAE move closer to self-reliance in a changing climate and a volatile global supply landscape. 

Traditional farming faces tough odds in the desert. Scarce water, nutrient-poor soil, and extreme heat make large-scale local cultivation difficult. But with AgriTech, the UAE is developing methods that bypass these constraints entirely, creating food production hubs that are efficient, scalable, and environmentally conscious. 

Growing Up Not Out 

Vertical farming uses stacked growing layers within climate-controlled spaces to produce crops without soil. Instead, it relies on hydroponic or aeroponic systems where plants receive nutrients through carefully managed water solutions. LED lighting simulates natural sunlight while environmental sensors regulate temperature, humidity, and air quality. 

This approach allows food to be grown year-round in warehouses, shipping containers, or purpose-built towers. Crops are protected from pests and diseases without chemical intervention, and yields are higher per square meter than in traditional fields. These systems dramatically reduce water use by up to 90 percent less than conventional agriculture. They also shorten the distance from farm to fork, which preserves freshness and reduces transport emissions. 

Local Solutions for National Goals 

The UAE’s National Food Security Strategy includes vertical farming as a key pillar. Major investments have been directed toward startup research centers and public-private partnerships. Facilities such as Bustanica, in Dubai, and AeroFarms AgX, in Abu Dhabi, are among the world’s largest and most advanced vertical farms. 

These operations focus on leafy greens, herbs, and microgreens crops that are fast-growing and high-value. But research is expanding to include fruiting crops and staple varieties suitable for the regional diet. Beyond production, these ventures support knowledge transfer, job creation, and export potential, making AgriTech a contributor to economic diversification. 

Integrating Technology With Sustainability 

Smart farming in the UAE is data-driven. AI and machine learning monitor plant growth, predict harvest times, and optimize input use. Robotics automates seeding, harvesting, and packaging while blockchain ensures traceability across the food chain. 

Renewable energy sources are being integrated to power farm operations. Some facilities use solar panels for lighting and water systems or tap into treated wastewater to close resource loops. This combination of sustainability and precision makes vertical farming well-suited to the UAE’s environmental and economic goals. 

Cultivating Food Resilience 

Food security is no longer just about storage or import logistics. It is about local capacity and climate adaptation. The UAE’s vertical farming initiatives show how innovation can turn limitations into assets using technology to grow food where it was once thought impossible. 

Kavan Choksi views these developments as part of a larger trend where agriculture is no longer dependent on geography but guided by design. By leading in AgriTech, the UAE is not only feeding its people but helping redefine what food production can look like in the twenty-first century.