Day: July 18, 2022

Dubai, UAE, Bustanica has opened the doors to the world’s largest hydroponic farm, backed by an investment of US$40m. The facility is the first vertical farm for Emirates Crop One, the joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC), one of the world’s largest catering operations serving more than 100 airlines, and Crop One, an industry leader in technology-driven indoor vertical farming.

Located near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, the 330,000sqft facility is geared to produce more than 1,000,000 kilograms of high-quality leafy greens annually, while requiring 95% less water than conventional agriculture. At any point in time, the facility grows in excess of 1m cultivars (plants), which will provide an output of 3,000 kgs per day.

Bustanica is driven by powerful technology – machine learning, artificial intelligence and advanced methods – and a highly specialised in-house team that includes agronomy experts, engineers, horticulturists and plant scientists. A continuous production cycle ensures the produce is super fresh and clean, and grown without pesticides, herbicides, or chemicals.

Passengers on Emirates and other airlines can look forward to forking these delicious leafy greens, including lettuces, arugula, mixed salad greens, and spinach, onboard their flights from July. Bustanica is not just revolutionising salads in the sky – UAE consumers will soon be able to add these greens to their shopping carts at the nearest supermarkets. Bustanica also plans to expand into the production and sale of fruits and vegetables.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said: “Long-term food security and self-sufficiency are vital to the economic growth of any country, and the UAE is no exception. We’ve specific challenges in our region, given the limitations around arable land and climate. Bustanica ushers in a new era of innovation and investments, which are important steps for sustainable growth and align with our country’s well-defined food and water security strategies.

“Emirates Flight Catering constantly invests in the latest technologies to delight customers, optimise operations, and minimise our environmental footprint. Bustanica helps secure our supply chain, and ensures our customers can enjoy locally sourced, nutritious produce. By bringing production closer to consumption, we’re reducing the food journey from farm to fork. Congratulations to the Bustanica team for their remarkable achievements so far and for setting global standards and benchmarks in agronomy.”

Craig Ratajczyk, Chief Executive Officer, Crop One said: “After significant planning and construction, and navigating the unforeseen challenges of the pandemic, we’re thrilled to celebrate this tremendous milestone alongside our joint venture partner, Emirates Flight Catering. It’s our mission to cultivate a sustainable future to meet global demand for fresh, local food, and this first large format farm is the manifestation of that commitment. This new facility serves as a model for what’s possible around the globe.”

The farm’s closed-loop system is designed to circulate water through the plants to maximise water usage and efficiency. When the water vaporises, it is recovered and recycled into the system, saving 250m litres of water every year compared to traditional outdoor farming for the same output.

Bustanica will have zero impact on the world’s threatened soil resources, an incredibly reduced reliance on water and year-round harvests unhampered by weather conditions and pests. Consumers buying Bustanica’s greens from supermarkets can eat it straight from the bag – even washing can damage the leaves and introduce contaminants.

Note: factsheet and photos are available at our media centre.

About Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC)

Emirates Flight Catering is one of the world’s largest catering operations. Offering airline, events and VIP catering as well as ancillary services including laundry, food production and airport lounge food & beverage, EKFC is a trusted partner for over 100 airline customers, hospitality groups and UAE government entities. Each day, the company’s 11,000 dedicated employees prepare an average of 200,000 meals and handle 210 tonnes of laundry.

About Crop One Holding Inc.

Crop One Holdings Inc. (Crop One), headquartered in Massachusetts, USA, is an established and experienced vertical farming leader with continuous commercial operation exceeding 6 years. Leveraging new technological and biological advancements, Crop One has built a scalable, global model to bring fresh, local produce, to previously ungrowable environments.

Source: Emirates Airline

DUBAI, The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) has honoured 16 companies that achieved more than triple of their Emiratisation ratios in two months only – June and July 2022.

At the honouring ceremony, Dr. Abdulrahman Abdulmannan Al Awar, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, reiterated that the private sector in the UAE continues to benefit from the national economy’s high competitiveness.

The UAE’s economy is making strides towards achieving greater successes in the coming years, to enhance business sustainability in the UAE, which has become a hub for talent, companies and investments, and continues to progress, he stated.

Al Awar highlighted that the UAE prioritises economic growth and human capital empowerment to achieve its vision for the upcoming 50 years, reaching the goal of building the best and most active economy in the world.

“Effective partnerships with the private sector companies are key to realising the UAE’s vision for the business environment. The private sector plays a crucial role in creating job opportunities and opening new horizons for economic activities in sectors that respond to the priorities of the future and benefits from the capabilities of Emirati talent,” he said.

“Emiratis possess advanced levels of education and training, and have gained experience in an international economy that is dynamic and open to diverse cultures and civilisations and applies the most advanced technologies available.”

The Minister noted that honouring the companies follows the launch of a series of initiatives, decisions, laws and regulations to realise a comprehensive development vision to enhance the business environment in the UAE and lay out new foundations that contribute to the Emiratisation of jobs in the private sector.

“These steps will also enhance the capabilities of local talents and increase the attractiveness of the job market in the country, as well as its ability to attract these talents through a group of incentives and safety nets that support healthy and sustainable economic growth,” he explained.

He added, “Today, we celebrate the exceptional achievements of a group of pioneering companies that have achieved three times the Emiratisation target in a record time of two months, which is testament that we are on the right track.

“The response of local talents, their readiness to fill the job opportunities available and the swift response of the UAE’s business community align with the nation’s development goals and the effectiveness of the valuable stimulus packages offered.”

The Emiratisation target is set at two percent annually for high-skilled jobs in establishments that employ 50 workers or more.

“The public-private partnership achieves the best socio-economic results, which is what the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation is focused on in its approach to developing the business environment in the country and increasing Emiratisation levels in the private sector,” Al Awar went on to say.

“This is evident through the decisions adopted by the UAE Cabinet regarding raising the Emiratisation rates in the private sector and the unprecedented incentives offered to companies that train and employ UAE nationals.

“This, along with other relevant decisions, form part of the legislative and legal structure that the government of the UAE is keen on developing in line with the priorities of the national economy and contributing to achieving the goals of the Emirati Talent Competitiveness Council (Nafis).”

He continued, “Thanks to these exceptional results, 1,166 opportunities have been created for UAE nationals in high-skilled jobs, opening the doors of the future for them to develop their capabilities and enhance their competencies. This also boosts the competitiveness of the companies by enabling them to benefit from national talents.”

In addition to representatives of the private sector companies being honoured and select Emirati employees, high-profile government officials attended the ceremony.

The companies that were honoured include Majid Al Futtaim Hypermarkets, Emirates Gateway Security Services, Teleperformance Middle East Business Services, Orient Insurance, Azam Recruitment, Ras Al Khaimah Ceramics, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, Riyadh School, Magic Planet, Ahalia Hospital, Dubai Insurance Company, Halliburton Worldwide Limited, IGG Emirates Advanced Training, Halcon Systems, G42 and Bayanat for Mapping and Surveying Services.

These companies will benefit from several incentives, including upgrading their classification to the first category, which is entitled to significant benefits, including the reduction of up to 80 percent of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s fees.

Source: Emirates News Agency