ADAFSA awards $84.3mn contract to develop two farms in the UAE
The production of the farms supports the food security system in the UAE, and strengthens the ADAFSA’s efforts to develop and modernise the agriculture sector in Abu Dhabi
Two Musataha agreements have been signed by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) with two local private sector companies to build and operate two farms with a total value of $84.3mn. One farm will take shape in Al Ain, while the other will be based in Abu Dhabi.
According to a statement, the first Musataha contract was signed with Emirates Hydroponics Farms to build and operate a hydroponic farm for the production of vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms for canning in a controlled environment at a total investment of $71mn. The farm located in the Abu Dhabi region will come up on an area of 325,000sqm.
ADAFSA said the second Musataha contract was signed with the Emirates International Agricultural Advanced Company for the establishment and operation of a farm for the production of vegetables and fruits in the system of net houses, in addition to the growing of azola and jojoba plants and fish farming (Aquaponic). The Al Ain farm will come up on a 750,000sqm area at cost of about $13.6mn.
The production of the farms supports the food security system in the UAE, and strengthens the ADAFSA’s efforts to develop and modernise the agriculture sector in Abu Dhabi and achieve its sustainability, the statement noted.
The two projects are part of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority’s efforts to expand agricultural projects and investments and expand cooperation with private sector companies to ensure sustainable agricultural and food development in Abu Dhabi, the statement added.
Authorities in the UAE have taken several steps in recent years to boost the amount of locally grown produce. Last year Dubai launched its Food Tech Valley business park to develop vertical farming and other advanced agriculture technology to bolster the UAE’s food security. In 2020, Abu Dhabi announced plans to develop what was billed as the world’s largest indoor farm.
