How agriculture is developing in Dubai

In the UAE, there is no traditional agriculture, as it is practically impossible to organize it there. The same problem exists in Singapore, but if there is a lack of space there, in the Emirates, there is no fertile soil. However, the authorities have found a solution, and now agribusiness in the United Arab Emirates is actively developing.

How agriculture is developing in the UAE

The country is located on the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula, with an area comparable to Portugal. However, the problem is that 80% of the territory is occupied by deserts. Their area is constantly expanding, contributing to the degradation of fertile soil. As seen from the reports of the World Bank, over 16 years (from 2002 to 2018), the area of ​​agricultural land in the United Arab Emirates has almost halved - from 750 square kilometers to 423.

In the country, which unites seven emirates, the population has grown tens of times over the past half-century. Currently, 10 million people live in the UAE. To meet the food needs, the country has to import up to 90% of food products. Not long ago, the UAE decided to independently engage in the production of agricultural products. The plans are ambitious - to meet the needs of its own population and the entire region.

Agribusiness here is built on the creation of vertical farming. The UAE invests millions of dollars in the development of this sector, making this business attractive to investors. Agricultural products are grown in high-tech agro-complexes, where conditions are completely different from traditional agriculture.

For example, six years ago, the company Pure Harvest Smart Farms created the first vertical greenhouse in the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Soil is not used for growing crops in it, and the minimum amount of water is required. Plants are arranged in several vertical rows, and lighting is provided by LEDs. This technology allows crops to ripen faster. For example, lettuce is harvested in about 40 days after planting under normal conditions, and in a technologically advanced greenhouse, in less than two weeks.

The advantages of such agro-complexes are that they practically do not require fertile soils, which the Arab country has big problems with. Moreover, 20 times less water is needed for irrigation than in traditional farming.

Plants do not obtain nutrients from the soil. They are delivered in two ways. Hydroponics involves the plant obtaining mineral elements and other substances through the roots from a solution. Aeroponics involves spraying beneficial substances into the air.

Up to 70% of all fresh water on the planet is used for traditional agriculture. The Emirates only have access to groundwater, so the problem with moisture is extremely large. Specialists note that reserves are not replenishing fast enough. This is not surprising, as the country has an average of only 12 rainy days per year.

The Level Consulting Assistance

The UAE authorities are interested in the development of agriculture, so they are ready to invest millions of dollars. This makes the agribusiness sector attractive for entrepreneurs. The Level Consulting company assists with business establishment in the United Arab Emirates:

• Company registration;
• Document processing;
• Legal consultations;
• Transaction preparation.

The UAE attracts investors from all over the world. This country, known for its oil reserves, strives to develop various sectors of the economy. It has already gained renown as a leader in the tourism industry. Now it's time for agriculture. Since the industry is still developing, investors, with the right approach, can earn a significant profit.