UAE-based Pure Food Technology unveils breakthrough innovation in vertical farming to provide food security to the UAE – News

The company secures 11 patents and 90 percent automation through robotics and 3D printing technology to achieve 100x yield with 95 percent less water use

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Published: Thu Dec 7, 2023, 2:19 p.m

Pure Food Technology, a UAE-based sustainable agriculture and food technology startup, has successfully developed an innovative hydroponic, robotic and solar-powered prototype that requires 95 percent less water and 100 times higher plant yield compared to traditional farming Harvest delivers yield thanks to technological breakthroughs by a team of experts. Pure Food Technology is now looking to expand vertical farming technology to dramatically reduce the UAE's $7.7 billion cost of plant-based food imports and help the country become more nutritious in its production to provide their own plant-based food.

This is the world's first artificial intelligence-controlled, solar-powered, robotics-assisted, patented, 3D printed hydroponic vertical farm. All patents were developed and registered in the UAE and the pilot plant was designed and built in the UAE.

The United Arab Emirates, where the desert dominates the landscape, imports 90 percent of its food from other countries. As the country considers 2023 as the “Year of Sustainability” and prepares to host the COP28 summit, it is looking for innovative ways to address climate change and sustainability in all sectors – environment, economy, hospitality, healthcare, agriculture, nutrition and human resources . Pure Food Technology, which has already successfully received 11 patents for innovative solutions in food production and is awaiting receipt of five additional patents in the areas of sustainable agriculture, robotics and hydroponic vertical farming, offers the ultimate solution for the sustainability of agriculture and nutrition country.

Hydroponic farming is a soilless method of growing plants that replaces soil with a nutrient-rich water solution. The plant roots grow in a deep water culture and a rich mineral solution. The optimal nutrient composition of the plants and water is monitored to facilitate growth. Thus, the hydroponic method eliminates the risk of diseases caused by soil pathogens and organisms. In addition, hydroponically grown plants achieve a higher yield than similar plants grown in soil due to optimal control of nutrients.

The growing population increases the demand for food worldwide. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the world population is expected to grow to up to 9.1 billion by 2050, requiring a demand-driven increase in food production of 25 to 70 percent.

Such a population explosion will spur demand for alternative farming technologies that deliver higher yields in a shorter period of time. In the Mena region, where arable land and water are already scarce, alternative, high-yield farming technologies are increasingly being used.

According to Vantage Market Research, the global hydroponic market is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5 percent from $35.2 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach $58.3 billion by 2030. The hydroponic market is currently experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing global demand for pathogen-free foods and the widespread adoption of hydroponic techniques in agriculture.

Pure Food Technology has a fully functional hydroponic vertical farm in Jebel Ali Industrial Area that produces vegetable crops within 35 days – using water and minerals, AI, 3D printing and robotics as a live proof of concept. In the planned large parks, the energy required for LED lights, chillers and dehumidifiers will be completely covered by a unique, patented solar park solution.

The UAE had previously announced the National Strategy for Food Security, which aims to make the UAE a world leader in the Global Food Security Index by 2051. With the launch of the National Food Security Strategy 2051, the UAE aims to eliminate hunger by ensuring access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food throughout the year. In particular, the strategy aims to implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production and contribute to the preservation of ecosystems.

Pure Food Technology, which operates the planned vertical farm at scale using solar energy, uses 3D printing technology to develop parts of its components and proprietary, in-house developed robotics solutions to transport fresh produce from agricultural fields to packaging stations, reducing production costs.

“The UAE imports $7.7 billion worth of fresh vegetables every year. With adequate funding and proper scaling, Pure Food Technology can produce enough plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables to meet the UAE's total needs throughout the year and make the UAE self-sufficient in food production,” Sebastian Carlton, CEO of Pure Food Technology, says.

“Our proprietary solution, which includes 11 pending innovation patents, is the ideal solution to the UAE’s food security needs and, if further scaled up, could meet all plant-based food needs across the Gulf Cooperation Council. We have the proof of concept and a hydroponic farm that produces vegetables in just 35 days.

“Pure Food Technology’s hydroponic vertical farming is an innovation – many parts of it are patented, ensuring sustainable agriculture and is in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UAE’s pursuit of innovation and sustainability. “If scaled properly.” “We could grow enough food to not only meet the UAE’s domestic needs but also export to other countries, and this will make it easier for the UAE to become a hub for global hydroponic vertical farming.”

Vertical farming – where produce is grown in vertical stacks using less land than a field – offers many advantages. One of them is a perfectly controlled growing environment. The other is a much more efficient use of resources.

Due to the UAE's climate, water and land resources, they can only meet a small portion of their total food needs. The UAE Government is committed to developing its food production sectors with a focus on the agricultural sector to facilitate its goal of achieving the UAE Vision 2021 and the UAE Centennial Plan 2071.

In 2017, the government of the United Arab Emirates established a state ministry of food security for the first time, in line with FAO's vision. The new ministry led the development of the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051, which was approved in November 2018. The new strategy aims to put the UAE at the top of the global food security index by 2051.

In 2018, the UAE was ranked 31st in the Global Food Security Index. In December 2019, the index showed the UAE had moved up 10 places to 21st, with the National Food Security Strategy 2051 demonstrating its influence throughout the year.

In addition, on June 28, 2020, the UAE Cabinet approved the National Sustainable Agriculture System to improve food self-sufficiency, upgrade farms and create opportunities to ensure that the agricultural sector in the UAE remains of high priority. The national sustainable agriculture system aims to improve self-sufficiency in targeted agricultural crops by five percent annually, increase average farm income by 10 percent annually, increase the number of workers in the sector by five percent annually, and a 15 -Percent mark to be reached Annual percentage reduction in water consumption for irrigation of a production unit.

Cenk Yabas, a UAE-based hydroponic expert, engineer and CTO at Pure Food Technology, said: “Our unique innovative hydroponic vertical farming system will accelerate the UAE’s pursuit of food security, nutrition and good health for its citizens and ensure sustainability across the country .” Value chain for agriculture and food. Furthermore, if expanded nationally, the UAE could transform from a major importer to a net exporter of vegetables and fruits, not only saving the country valuable foreign exchange but also helping it increase its export earnings – ensuring economic stability. It will also protect UAE consumers from external food shocks and crises by stabilizing domestic supplies. Pure Food Technology's innovative hydroponic vertical farm uses the fourth industrial revolution – robotics, artificial intelligence, 3D printing technology – as well as solar energy to power the farm. We can build the farm in the middle of the desert and grow food without increasing electricity from fossil fuels, without depleting the land, degrading the environment, or using a large pool of people. Everything is automated – from start to finish with minimal human intervention – that makes it unique.”

The company is currently promoting its sustainable agriculture solution to investors so that investments can be scaled up to meet the UAE's vision for 2031 and 2071.

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