Saudi Arabia announces vertical farming venture with US AeroFarms
Vertical farming is on the rise in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The Saudi Public Investment Fund announced a new vertical farming project Wednesday, a modern urban concept of growing crops in vertically stacked indoor spaces.
The sovereign wealth fund's joint venture with US-based AeroFarms will build vertical farms in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa. It set a production target of 1.1 million kilograms (2.4 pounds) of crops per year for the venture’s first farm in Saudi Arabia, the Public Investment Fund said in a press release.
AeroFarms did not immediately reply to Al-Monitor’s request for more information on the project.
What it means: Vertical farming refers to the growing of crops in vertically stacked indoor spaces. The process utilizes technology to grow food in water or the air, rather than in soil. Vertical farms often use artificial light and provide the plants with nutrients via techniques involving special solutions and fish.
