In a bold move to address food security and promote sustainable agriculture, UAE-based Crysp Farms and agtech leader Alesca Technologies have announced a five-year partnership to develop 500 vertical farms across the Middle East. With advanced AI-powered systems and a commitment to resource efficiency, this initiative marks a significant step in reshaping the region’s agricultural landscape.
The Plan: Scaling Vertical Farms
Crysp Farms, known for its “farming-as-a-service” model, is targeting hotels and resorts with vertical farming units designed to grow over 130 varieties of fresh produce. The system allows clients to cultivate crops tailored to their daily needs, reducing reliance on traditional supply chains.
Alesca Technologies will enhance Crysp’s operations by integrating AI-powered automation and monitoring systems. These upgrades promise to maximize crop yields while minimizing resource use. Crysp’s farms already boast impressive metrics:
- 90% Less Water: Compared to conventional farming methods, vertical farms use a fraction of the water.
- 99% Less Land: By stacking crops in layers, these farms drastically reduce land requirements.
- Rapid Harvest-to-Table Cycle: Produce is harvested and served within an hour, ensuring freshness and reducing waste.
Regional Context: Challenges and Opportunities
The Middle East faces unique challenges in agriculture, with arid climates and limited arable land driving innovation in controlled-environment agriculture (CEA). Vertical farming aligns with regional goals of achieving food security while conserving resources.
Dubai already houses the world’s largest indoor vertical farm, Emirates Bustanica, producing over 1 million kilograms of leafy greens annually. However, the industry faces hurdles, particularly in reducing costs. Ibrahim Malas, a senior executive at Elite Agro Holding, highlighted that production costs for vertical farming remain prohibitive compared to imported goods.
Global and Regional Investment Trends
Vertical farming has attracted significant investment globally, with over $1.5 billion from venture capitalists and billions more in government funding. In the Middle East, the public and private sectors are increasingly investing in agri-tech to reduce food import dependence, which exceeds 85% in some countries.
However, energy costs are a major concern. Vertical farms rely heavily on LED lighting, climate control, and urban real estate, creating a cost structure that can be difficult to scale. Analysts argue that while vertical farming offers unmatched efficiency in resource use, technological advances are needed to bring down unit costs and compete with traditional farming.
The Vision: A Food-Secure Future
Despite these challenges, Crysp Farms and Alesca Technologies remain optimistic. “This partnership allows us to accelerate regional expansion and bring advanced vertical farming solutions to more clients,” said Maan Said, CEO of Crysp Farms. Stuart Oda of Alesca Technologies added, “We’re integrating a decade of technological advancements to make vertical farming more economically viable.”
Vertical farming represents a promising but complex solution to the Middle East’s food security challenges. While initiatives like the Crysp-Alesca partnership push the boundaries of what is possible in sustainable agriculture, the industry must address cost inefficiencies to achieve widespread adoption. Nonetheless, with ongoing investment and innovation, vertical farming has the potential to transform the agricultural landscape in resource-scarce regions, ensuring year-round, fresh, and sustainable food production.
