The desert bloom in the Emirates is headed for a blossoming spring.

The desert bloom in the Emirates is headed for a blossoming spring. The country is set to launch one of the most magnanimous agro projects in the region. UAE will build the world's largest vertical farm near the current Dubai Expo 2020 site. The project will be functional very soon. The farm will produce most of the essential food items including leafy vegetables, tomatoes etc.

At the Food, Agriculture & Livelihoods forum, Essa Abdul Rahman Al Hashemi, Head of UAE’S Food and Water Security Office, shared the vision for the country’s steady march unto a progressive green revolution and self sufficiency in food production leveraged by the marvels of technology.

According to the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, currently the UAE farmers produce about 70 different varieties of vegetables and fruits! The country’s food basket is divided into various subgroups which includes homegrown food. In recent years, technology has been the harbinger of a farming revolution in the desert.

Techniques such as controlled temperature, humidity and other underlying factors help increase the yield. Many Emiratis are also passionate about indoor farming these days. Currently UAE has over 35,000 high tech farms that deploy varied techniques like hydroponics and vertical farming.

The nation hopes to see investment and innovation in the agrotech industry to ensure sustainable food production and food security as charted by the UN Food Security Program. The ministry seeks to affiliate and collaborate with innovators and investors in this area.

UAE is set to host COP23 Climate Conference in 2023.