Vertical farming is the new normal in the UAE and the Middle East. Ever wondered why this is so in demand? Well, the answer is simple - the arid region does need sufficient agricultural technology to yield better, considering diminishing resources, high temperatures, deserted land, and, most importantly, growing populations that lead to more mouths to feed.
It was the year 2017 when Badia Farms - UAE’s first urban vertical farm started supplying the finest microgreens to the country, and then there was no looking back. Today, we have more than 100+ vertical farms fully operational in the country and many underway.
UAE takes pride in being the home of the world’s largest vertical farm - Emirates Bustanica opened in the year 2022, and several other farms are underway, including the 500+ modular vertical farms and Giga Farm.
Will Giga Farm revolutionize Vertical Farming in UAE? Read Here
What is Vertical Farming?
Vertical Farming is an innovative concept in contemporary agriculture farming, where fresh fruits and vegetables are vertically stacked to save horizontal space.
The first concept of this innovative approach was first seen in the Babylonian Hanging Gardens around 2,500 years ago.
Later, the father of vertical farming - Dickson Dispomier revolutionised this concept in his 2010s writeup “The Vertical Farm: Feeding the World in the 21st Century.”
Check his 5 findings here!
See how the TAB group, Global Vertical Farming Show organiser, has paid him homage on his passing - Link.
● How is vertical farming different from other farming?
Vertical Farming, unlike traditional farming, does not demand natural resources such as water, sunlight and land. Not only this, it also lessens the use of pesticides and fertilizers, leading to healthier produce.
Vertical Farming vs Traditional Farming
Though this blog deals with the UAE’s vertical farming, we would want to give you a brief differentiation on vertical farming vs traditional farming.
● Space Utilization - Vertical farming offers vertical space utilization that tends to support the upward yield of fresh fruits and vegetables, leaving ample space and resource utilization, which is not the case with traditional farming.
● Resource Efficiency - Vertical farming makes sure that resources are effectively utilized. 98 % less water and land, vertical farming produces crop yields 10x times better than traditional farms through year-round rolling or perpetual harvest.
● Smart Technologies - Vertical Farming uses smart tech models like IOT, robotics, HVAC, sensors, LED, etc. that make production easier, which isn’t the case with traditional farming.
Technologies and Vertical Farming Initiatives in UAE’s Vertical Farming Industry
As known, the UAE is one of the fastest growing technologically advanced countries with the agri tech sector progressing at a high. UAE technology is dynamic, and with the government’s strong backing.
● UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is proactively taking part in the country’s food security strategy, giving subsidies to ag-tech companies, facilitating powerful investments in big projects like the National Food Security Strategy 2051, ne'ma, the UAE's National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, and giving budding farms including Emirates Bustanica, Aerofarm AGX, Madar Farms, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Agritech by Sila and many more.
Catch the industry stakeholders at the 6th Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 Dubai on 10th & 11th September 2025 - Register.
● UAE Vertical Farming International partnerships are also flourishing, including IGS and Refarm collaboration for GigaFarm.
● With projects, including Masdar City and the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park that are incorporating vertical farming in their buildings, this sets a clear example that the wave of Vertical Farming in the UAE through Vertical Farming Projects has gone too far.
Explore what are some of the prominent UAE’s vertical farming foreign investments in recent years.
Benefits of Vertical Farming in the UAE
UAE, like any other Middle Eastern country, suffers from a water crisis due to its hot and humid climate. Population growth and Climate Change contribute to this issue, which further leads to pressure to grow fresh and all year round.
Read 3 Reasons Why UAE's Vertical Farming Industry is Growing.
● Challenges of Vertical Farming in Arid Climates
Vertical Farming encounters many challenges leading to it being held back as a progressive industry. Some of the challenges are as follows,
● Energy Consumption - The use of AI and Robotics requires technological upgradation. Moreover, the smart technology that is used in setting up a farm needs qualified people, including farm managers, growers, agriculture engineers and sustainability specialists. Hence, they must have full knowledge of what vertical farming and CEA is.
● Start-up Cost – UAE is a technologically advanced country when it comes to bringing new innovative technology into action. Vertical farming is expensive because tools and technology are relatively expensive.
● Economic Challenges - Vertical farming & CEA are expensive as discussed above, and which is why the goals of vertical farming somewhere get curbed - seeing the dominance of traditional methods, not fully realizing its true value in the long run.
Read why the UAE is a great place to start your vertical farming & CEA business.
Top Vertical Farming Companies in the UAE
There are more than 35000+ vertical farms fully operational in the Middle East, and more than 1000+ vertical farms in UAE - the majority in Dubai.
The top 3 Prominent vertical farms that exist are,
● Emirates Bustanica - Established in 2022, this technology-driven farm is located in a 330,000 sq ft (30,568 sq m) facility near Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) at Dubai World Central. and is an expert in producing fresh fruits and vegetables, including lettuce, spinach, parsley and kale, without pesticides or herbicides.
Emirates Bustanica was initially a joint venture between Emirates Crop One and Emirates Flight Catering, after which it was fully acquired in 2024. You wouldn’t be surprised that it is the world’s largest vertical farm.
Link to the website
● Madar Farms - Madar Farm is one of the fastest-growing vertical farms founded in 2017, in the UAE, which utilizes innovative farming techniques, including vertical farming and hydroponics, to address food security challenges in the region.
The farm holds special funding from the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO).
Link to the website
● Pure Harvest Smart Farms - As the name suggests, this vertical farm is the next-gen farm utilizing AI and Robotics to deliver fresh produce to its consumers. Located in Abu Dhabi, UAE - Pure Harvest Smart Farms, is a pioneering, technology-enabled agribusiness employing a commercial-scale, semi-automated high-tech hybrid growing system, as stated in the World Economic Forum report.
This smart vertical farm was founded in the year 2016 and ever since then has been on a constant mission to serve its consumers locally grown, sustainably farmed and naturally protected fresh fruits and vegetables.
Link to the website
Is Vertical Farming a game changer for the Middle East?
We see that vertical farming is a game-changing innovation for the Middle East’s agriculture sector. If we talk about the market forecast, the vertical farming market in the Middle East is anticipated to take huge growth turns with figures resting at USD 1.15 billion in 2024 to USD 8.24 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 26.4% between 2024 and 2032. Check the full update here.
If you want to expand your footprints in the UAE market and excel in the vertical farming business - the 6th Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 will be your ideal platform to showcase your business at.
Held every year under the patronage of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and backed by various other industry-specific government bodies.
Read about the Vertical Farming Business Opportunities in UAE - Link
Register for the expo here.
Q and A
1- Which vertical farm first started its operations in the UAE?
Answer- It was the year 2017 when Badia Farms first brought a vertical farming revolution to the country.
2- How many vertical farms are there in the UAE?
Answer - UAE has 1000+ vertical farms and many more coming up.
3- How is the UAE’s government taking care of the progressive vertical farming industry in the Middle East?
Answer - UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment is proactively taking part in the country’s food security strategy, giving subsidies to ag-tech companies, facilitating powerful investments in big projects like the National Food Security Strategy 2051, ne'ma, the UAE's National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, and giving budding farms including Emirates Bustanica, Aerofarm AGX, Madar Farms, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Agritech by Sila and many more.
4- How can I expand in the UAE’s Vertical Farming Industry?
Answer - You can always showcase your top-notch vertical farming tech and solutions to the key vertical farming stakeholders at the Middle East’s Largest & Only Exclusive Vertical Farming Expo conducted annually in the UAE. The name of the expo is the Global Vertical Farming Show 2025 which hosts thousands of attendees, vertical farms, key stakeholders, investors, technology leaders, solution providers, and government officials, under one roof. To register - Link
