Abu Dhabi’s ADQ, Safe Haven Solutions to construct high-tech greenhouse in KEZAD

Image: ADQ

Abu Dhabi’s ADQ and Safe Haven Solutions, a Netherlands-based climate-smart agriculture solution provider, are collaborating on the construction of a high-tech greenhouse at ADQ’s AgTech Park in KEZAD.

The automated 10-hectare facility will use advanced agriculture technology to increase sustainable food production in the UAE.

With the UAE’s dependency on imports of produce and the country’s annual consumption of fruits and vegetables projected to increase by 18 per cent between 2019 and 2026, this is seen as a key project.

Designed with sustainability considerations, the greenhouse facility will operate with an efficient cooling system that reduces its carbon and water footprint, enabling the year-round cultivation of tomatoes and cucumbers in a carbon-neutral, climate-controlled environment.

Phase two of the ADQ and Safe Haven Solutions collaboration

In phase two, the project will enter the commercial stage and double the growing area of crops to 20 hectares.

Consumers will benefit from high-quality local produce that remains fresh for longer due to a shorter supply chain.

The project’s scalability aims to minimise food waste by aligning production with local market demand.

Safe Haven Solutions’ horticulture experts will collaborate with local researchers and agronomists to encourage the development of technology that is ideally adapted to the local climate and growing conditions, while training facilities will enable knowledge transfer to Emirati talent to nurture the next generation of specialised growers.

Gil Adotevi, CEO – Food & Agriculture at ADQ, said: “Our partnership with Safe Haven Solutions expands on our mission to increase Abu Dhabi’s sustainable agricultural footprint. By driving investments in AgTech solutions, we are strengthening the UAE’s ability to grow more produce domestically.

“As such, AgTech Park is rapidly emerging as a hub of large-scale, climate-controlled, high-tech farming and R&D projects.”

Together with Safe Haven Solutions, a Netherlands-based climate-smart agriculture solution provider, we have commenced a project to construct a high-tech greenhouse at the ADQ’s AgTech Park in KEZAD.#ADQ #InAbuDhabi #InvestingInGrowth #AgTech pic.twitter.com/gBicWGV095

— ADQ (@Adq_Official) August 7, 2023

Dr Nadeem Mohammed Aslam, co-founder of Safe Haven Solutions, added:“Sustainable agriculture is of paramount importance as we strive to strengthen food security and limit our impact on the environment. We are confident that the AgTech Park, paired with our innovative technologies, will help strengthen the foundation of the UAE’s agriculture sector as it accelerates towards securing year-round access to nutritious food that feeds a growing nation.”

ADQ’s collaboration with Safe Haven Solutions represents another project launched within the AgTech Park in KEZAD.

Earlier this year, ADQ commenced the operational phase of the Park with the launch of a vertical farming project in partnership with Zero, a high-impact technology company headquartered in Italy.