The GCC’s first commercial vertical farm, which grows leafy green vegetables using coconut husks instead of soil and requires 90 per cent less water than regular farming, has officially launched in Dubai.
The concept of the vertical farm, similar to that of green houses, grows pesticide-free food without the need for sunlight, soil or chemicals.
Badia Farms, established by Saudi Arabian entrepreneur Omar Al Jundi and British agricultural expert Grahame Dunling, aims to provide a substitute for importing fruits and vegetables into the region from countries thousands of miles away.
Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, officially inaugurated Badia Farms, describing it as an “exceptional example of how the UAE’s agricultural industry can thrive while protecting our environment for future generations.”
He said the hydroponic technology used for the farm will be a major contributor to agricultural sustainability, food diversity and security, as it enhances crop production and lowers their cost.
“Growing crops in the region has always been a challenge due to the hostile climate and this is where Badia Farms offers a viable solution,” said farm entrepreneur Mr Al Jundi.
“Not only can we grow the freshest greens with no pesticides or chemicals, but we actually do this in the most eco-friendly way possible, using minimal recycled water."
The vertical farm will not only provide a positive impact on food security, but also reduce the carbon footprint that results from transporting imports and save a great deal on transportation costs, according to Jeffrey Culpepper, founder of Agrisecura partners.
“It will have a positive impact on food security as here almost 100 per cent of food is imported.”
“Badia is doing a great job by moving agriculture away from green houses because you don’t only use tremendous amount of water to grow … but the plants then need to be washed of dirt and pesticides.”
But when plants are grown in coconut husks instead of soil, a fraction of the water is used and the produce turns out to be much safer to consume because most of the potential food-borne diseases come from dirt.
“It is a step in the right direction. It is so small right now that it will have no impact on our import dependency, but the more people do this the more people are educated and will look at different ways to get food.”
“Once people find out the tremendous costs of transporting fruits and vegetables from Europe or Jordan or Morocco … people will be looking at food in a very different matter when it comes to waste.”
Currently, the government takes care of transportation costs and the water regular farmers use to grow their crops is also subsidised by the government. Alternative farming methods provide a much cheaper solution if the subsidies stop.
If one eats in the west, or in Asia, they will be eating vegetables that were grown using a tremendous amount of recycled water, Mr Culpepper said.
He agrees that the amount of electric power vertical farming consumes to control the pressure inside the houses could be a downside, but "you are saving on not using water because water costs more than power.”
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Moreover, the money spent on powering vertical farms is a fraction of the cost of buying greens and shipping them from other countries.
“For instance, when you go to Spinney’s you find food from California. That is ridiculous. Why buy something from 10,000 miles away?”
Mr Culpepper sees a bright future for vertical farming in the UAE as he believes people are developing an awareness and they tend to want to buy locally grown food.
Their produce will not only be cheaper than imported goods, but fresher, too, as the farms will be producing all year round. Imported goods take two weeks to arrive “in a box placed on the back of a ship”.
Agrisecura and its partners, Van Der Hoeven, have been providing similar vertical farming methods in Dubai since 2012, but Badia is the first to provide vertical farming on a large commercial scale. “They are leading the way for the rest of us,” said Mr Culpepper.
Since December 2017, Badia Farm has been producing 1,000 heads of lettuce and has over 30 clients across the UAE. It also produces an extensive range of micro-greens and baby leaf herb varieties.
Defence review at a glance
• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”
• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems
• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.
• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%
• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade
• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Saturday's results
West Ham 2-3 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-2 Southampton
Bournemouth 1-2 Wolves
Brighton 0-2 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
Everton 0-2 Norwich City
Watford 0-3 Burnley
Manchester City v Chelsea, 9.30pm
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Real Sociedad v Leganes (midnight)
Saturday
Alaves v Real Valladolid (4pm)
Valencia v Granada (7pm)
Eibar v Real Madrid (9.30pm)
Barcelona v Celta Vigo (midnight)
Sunday
Real Mallorca v Villarreal (3pm)
Athletic Bilbao v Levante (5pm)
Atletico Madrid v Espanyol (7pm)
Getafe v Osasuna (9.30pm)
Real Betis v Sevilla (midnight)
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The biog
Age: 23
Occupation: Founder of the Studio, formerly an analyst at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Education: Bachelor of science in industrial engineering
Favourite hobby: playing the piano
Favourite quote: "There is a key to every door and a dawn to every dark night"
Family: Married and with a daughter
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
'Nope'
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The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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%3Cp%3EHigh%20fever%20(40%C2%B0C%2F104%C2%B0F)%3Cbr%3ESevere%20headache%3Cbr%3EPain%20behind%20the%20eyes%3Cbr%3EMuscle%20and%20joint%20pains%3Cbr%3ENausea%3Cbr%3EVomiting%3Cbr%3ESwollen%20glands%3Cbr%3ERash%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
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Day 2, stumps
Pakistan 482
Australia 30/0 (13 ov)
Australia trail by 452 runs with 10 wickets remaining in the innings
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Thursday (All UAE kick-off times)
Sevilla v Real Betis (midnight)
Friday
Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)
Valencia v Levante (midnight)
Saturday
Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)
Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)
Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)
Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)
Sunday
Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)
Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)
Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
