Local talent and innovation first managed to turn Emirati cities into popular tourist destinations, and then helped them emerge as tech-savvy Islands in the middle of the desert. But even as the country's digital infrastructure satiates the hunger for smart services among residents, UAE remains dependent on imports for most of its food.

Ensuring food security by using natural resources as well as tech efficiently, will be a game changer for sustainable growth of Emirati cities into future-ready spaces. As part of a larger push to promote innovation in agritech for UAE's green revolution, children in the country are being trained to use apps for growing food inside their homes.

The initiative has been kicked off by KidZania at its outlets at the Dubai Mall and the Yass Mall in Abu Dhabi, where awareness about digital tools for cultivating crops will be spread among kids. They'll be taught about using a smartphone app called HydroArtPod, which is designed to let people grow vegetables, fruits and flowers, behind closed doors.

Developed by a startup in Masdar City, the platform gives households the power to contribute towards local food production, without requiring a lot of effort from the users. The supply of fresh greens generated by this mechanism is also chemical free.

It can be mounted on a wall and is simple to use even for children, who can invest their time to ensure daily availability of food, while cutting down wastage. Workshops where kids will gain skills for the automated procedure, will also raise awareness about responsible consumption of water.

This campaign could make a.considerable difference by strengthening individual commitment among future generations, towards sustainability and food security. The app is in line with innovation like AI-controlled farms in the region, where crops are grown in climate controlled surroundings.

Drones and computer vision are also playing a larger role to ensure higher yield, as vertical farming gains ground.