The largest hydroponic farm in the world, supported by a $40 million investment, has officially opened its doors in Bustanica. The facility is the first vertical farm for Emirates Crop One, a partnership between Crop One, a leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming, and Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the largest catering companies in the world serving more than 100 airlines.

The 330,000 sq ft plant, which is situated in Dubai World Central close to Al Maktoum International Airport, is designed to produce more than 1,000,000 kilos of premium leafy greens annually while using 95% less water than traditional agriculture. The facility grows more than 1 million cultivars (plants) at any given time, with a daily output of 3,000 kg. A highly specialised internal team made up of agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists, and plant scientists powers Bustanica’s innovative methodologies, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Produce grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or other chemicals is guaranteed to be extremely fresh, clean, and pure.

From July, travellers on Emirates and other airlines can savour these delectable leafy greens, such as lettuce, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach, onboard their flights. Salads in the sky are not the only thing being revolutionised by Bustanica shortly, UAE residents will be able to add these greens to their shopping carts at the nearby supermarkets. Bustanica also intends to increase its production and distribution of fruits and vegetables.

Sustainability

• Hydroponic cultivation uses up to 95% less water (15 litres for 1kg) than traditional outdoor
  farming (317 litres for 1kg).
• 250m litres of water saved every year compared to traditional outdoor farming.
• 1,000MW saved in the production of water.
• Grown indoors in a controlled environment, leading to zero soil degradation.
• Nutrient-rich water is recirculated continuously and precisely to each crop, eliminating nutrient
• leaching into the soil which is a concern with conventional agriculture.

produce

• The risk of fungal and foodborne diseases is almost entirely eliminated as humidity levels are
  managed, and limited human interaction with the crops removes the risk of contamination.
• Filtered and purified water is treated with a precisely calculated mix of plant-specific nutrients
  such as nitrogen, phosphorus and calcium and then delivered to the roots of the plants to
  encourage peak nutritional development.
• The harvested greens are beyond organic, ready to eat and don’t need pre-washing – they can be eaten straight out of the box.

About Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC)

Emirates Flight Catering is one of the world’s largest catering operations. Offering airline, events and VIP catering as well as ancillary services including laundry, food production and airport lounge food & beverage, EKFC is a trusted partner for over 100 airline customers, hospitality groups and UAE government entities. Each day, the company’s 11,000 dedicated employees prepare an average of 200,000 meals and handle 210 tonnes of laundry.

About Crop One Holding Inc.

Crop One Holdings Inc. (Crop One), headquartered in Massachusetts, USA, is an established and experienced vertical farming leader with continuous commercial operation exceeding 6 years. Leveraging new technological and biological advancements, Crop One has built a scalable, global model to bring fresh, local produce, to previously ungrowable environments.