In Dubai Industrial City, Sokovo will build a hydroponic vertical farm.

The farm company has partnered to produce leafy greens, fruit, and vegetables at the manufacturing and logistical hub.

The pesticide-free vegetables will be marked with the words "produced in the UAE". Fresh kale, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, melons, and other produce will be available to restaurants and hotels.

The farm will produce thousands of tonnes of produce every year with an indoor plot area of more than 100,000 square feet. It will encompass more than 25,000 sq ft of Dubai Industrial City's total built-up area.

“Growing melons, tomatoes, strawberries, and kale in an arid climate with little water and arable land should be impossible, but the UAE's dedication to innovation-driven food security proves anything is possible,” said Saud Abu Al-Shawareb, general director of Dubai Industrial City. Our deal with Sokovo to develop a world-class vertical farm ushers in a new era in food production, and we are thrilled to have them in our business district.”

“Food security is a national concern, and expanding technology-driven sustainable farming is critical for building and scaling robust production systems that can generate fresh and healthy produce,” he continued. It also serves as a catalyst for investment and job creation in our knowledge-based economy. And today's significant agreement brings the UAE one step closer to attaining the objectives set out in the National Food Security Strategy 2051.”

A retractable sunroof will be included in the ecologically friendly hydroponic facility to maximise natural light and reduce electricity consumption. To give the crops with the nutrients they require, water will be used appropriately.

The product will be sanitised and packed using high-tech processing and sorting equipment, resulting in a quick and efficient farm-to-fork distribution system. To ensure that all of the crops receive equal exposure to natural sunlight, rotating seven-meter-tall towers will be deployed. The plant will be built to meet market demand while also ensuring the best possible product quality and safety.

The F&B complex in Dubai Industrial City is 23.5 million square feet in size. Barakat, Patchi, Almarai Group, Barakah Dates Factory, and Lifco are among the more than 60 companies that call it home.