The UAE is an arid country with high temperatures and desertified land. It has little water or arable land needed for large-scale traditional agricultural activities. The UAE's growing economy is attributed to oil exports. However, the UAE has become a hotbed for innovation across different sectors since the realisation that the country needs to diversify its economy.

Other industries, like agriculture, are innovating in different ways to ensure the country and region can be self-sufficient. Cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are known for being high-tech, and spurred by a rising population and growing consumption, they're now rethinking traditional farming practices and systems.

The landscape

Agriculture has been a popular activity for the Emirati population for a while. The amount of land available for farming has increased significantly since the 1970s, when there were only about 4,000 farms. Now, there are over 30,000. Rapid advancements in agriculture were seen during the 1980s when the country began using up to 30% of its food requirements. Apart from farming activities in Dubai and other emirates, the fisheries and poultry sectors have expanded.

Agriculture in the UAE is done on a total arable land of about 1,600 sq km. The majority of this produce dates. It's among the top ten date producers in the world. The country has had to increase food production through innovation since it heavily relies on imports. In 2020, the UAE imported about $11.8 billion of food products, including rice, wheat, and nuts, primarily from India, Canada, the USA, and China.

The UAE has always faced two notable challenges in the agricultural sector:

• Low soil quality: Good soil is essential for agriculture, but the quality in the UAE is low compared to other countries. It's easily displaced from one region to another due to heavy winds.

• Limited natural water: The non-availability of natural water resources has been a perennial issue for the agricultural sector in the UAE. Since the country depends on tourism for revenue, there's a direct impact on water consumption and availability.

Growth of hydroponics

In November 2018, the UAE's Food Security Strategy for 2051 was announced to transform the country into a global pioneer in the agricultural sector. There has been a shift to modern and sustainable agricultural practices to reduce the environmental impact. It's evident through the growing adoption of organic farming and increased consumer interest and awareness about sustainable food. Here's more on the UAE's food landscape.

It's not just about the UAE, the government and private entities. In 2021, UNESCO surveyed 100 countries and the results showed little to no references to climate change in the national curriculum of over 50% of the participating countries. Schools across the UAE are now prioritising sustainability education through initiatives like Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a subject area.

In recognition of the necessity for sustainable farming, hydroponics is becoming increasingly popular in the UAE. The UAE's hydroponics market was valued at $114.36 million in 2024 and be valued at $190.36 million by 2030. Many private companies have invested in hydroponic infrastructure, which has resulted in more hydroponic farms.

Technology has played a large part in the growth of controlled environment and sustainable agriculture in the UAE. Integrating new-age technologies like AI, Machine Learning, and data analytics has made sustainable agricultural practices more efficient and accessible. According to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCE), hydroponic farms can produce 1 kilo of lettuce using only 20 litres of water.

As part of its strategy to reduce dependency on imports, the UAE adopted vertical hydroponics to produce food for local livestock because it imports 80-90% of its animal feed.  Another example is Dubai-based Emirates Airlines opening the world's largest hydroponic farm to supply leafy greens for its in-flight meals. Desert countries like the UAE can adopt hydroponic farming and enclosed cultivation to reduce import costs.

Conclusion

In the UAE, hydroponics is redefining agriculture and transforming the country for a green future. The sector is poised for significant growth thanks to government policies and schemes and private sector investment. By adopting hydroponics, the UAE has recognised its inherent challenges and put itself on a sustainable path forward. Smart Grow Farms is committed to being a part of this journey as the country and the region recognise the importance and necessity of growing food while keeping the environment safe.