A vertical farm in Abu Dhabi that has been growing fresh greens using hydroponics plans to produce strawberries and garden rocket for sale in the near future.
Smart Acres, the firm behind the project, said they have already seen a positive response from customers about their products, specifically their lettuce, which is going on sale end of this month.
The vegetables are grown under LED lights inside eight converted shipping containers using hydroponics – where crops are grown with nutrient-rich water instead of soil.
“We are planning for an expansion in the next year and we will have almost 80 shipping containers,” said Vishakh Nath, farm operations manager at the firm.
“In addition to the lettuces, we are planning for strawberries and rockets. The main project that we are looking forward to is to develop our own potato seeds within UAE.”
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Sean Lee, director of Smart Acres, at the hydroponics farm at the Armed Forces Officers Club, Abu Dhabi, which produces lettuce and leafy greens for sale in UAE supermarkets. Victor Besa / The National -
Lettuce is grown in converted shipping containers. Victor Besa / The National -
The produce grown using hydroponics. Victor Besa / The National -
Sean Lee, director of the Smart Acres hydroponics farm. We want it to be commercially viable, he said.Victor Besa / The National -
The farm is spread across eight converted shipping containers. Victor Besa / The National -
The UAE’s newest vertical farm, Smart Acres, has started operation. All photos courtesy Smart Acres -
The company collaborated with n.thing, a Korean-based technology company, to design the farm modules. -
Smart Acres grows fresh produce for UAE residents and businesses. -
Smart Acres says its system not only consumes less resources but generates ultra-high quality crops. -
Smart Acres was founded to improve food security in the UAE and develop the country’s farming capabilities. -
Smart Acres is in talks with hypermarkets and government entities to expand their distribution of produce across the country.
The vegetables are grown in a 237-square-metre facility at Abu Dhabi’s Armed Forces Officers Club.
At present they can produce 900kg of lettuce a month and grow four different varieties. The lettuce will sell for Dh40 to Dh45 per kilogram.
“We have been giving samples of our lettuces to restaurants, cafes and customers in the last few months and we’ve been getting a very good review about the taste, texture and the freshness of our lettuces, so we’re so excited that it’s going on sale this month,” said Mr Nath.
