Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
At a time when global supply chains continue to face challenges, the UAE continues to lead by example by focusing on enhancing local food production, in line with its long-term strategic vision for food security and self-sufficiency. In support of this national priority, Anas Vertical Farms, a subsidiary of the Speedex Group, has launched a new tomato farm with advanced technologies in Al Ain, reinforcing the country's drive towards sustainable agriculture and local production.
The new facility, which spans an area of 10,000 square meters, has been developed to produce approximately 150,000 kilograms of fresh tomatoes per year, contributing to the stability of the supply of locally grown produce. The initiative reflects a broader trend towards resilient and high-quality agricultural solutions, ensuring the availability of fresh produce throughout the year, to meet the growing demand from individuals and the hospitality sector.
The project is in line with the UAE's strategic objectives, especially in light of the growing trend of countries towards enhancing food resilience and local production. Anas Vertical Farms is proud to support these goals by employing cutting-edge technology in Controlled Environment Farming (CEA) technologies, combining hydroponics, Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, as well as data analytics systems, to create an accurate and highly efficient farming environment. Advanced sensors monitor temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide levels, and lighting Continuously nourishing plants, while centralized control systems integrally manage climate, irrigation, ventilation and evaporative cooling, ensuring the highest levels of production and quality while minimizing waste.
The farm produces a selection of high-quality tomato varieties, including cherry tomatoes and cluster tomatoes, all of which are non-GMO and pesticide and herbicide free. Unlike imported products that are grown to withstand long-distance transportation, UNS Farms focuses on providing products with higher taste and quality that are suitable for the consumer in the UAE. The company also adopts a direct-to-consumer (D2C) model, where customers can order fresh produce through its website www.unsfarms.com, in addition to an efficient supply chain that ensures that products reach stores, customers and the hospitality sector within 24 to 48 hours of harvest, preserving their freshness and reducing waste.
"Today's food security is not just about the availability of food, but also about building a sustainable and future-resilient food system. This facility reflects our commitment to supporting the UAE's vision by providing high-quality local products that are carefully grown and cared." Anas Vertical Farms is a role model in employing technology to reshape the UAE's food production sector. They operate independently of extreme seasons and weather conditions, overcoming the challenges of traditional farming in desert climates. Its advanced systems contribute to water conservation by up to 90%, making it a sustainable model that is compatible with the country's trends in modern agriculture. Such initiatives contribute to strengthening local supply chains, improving food quality, and ensuring the continuous availability of fresh produce to the country's population.
