Armela brings fresh perspective to farming in UAE
Published on by Water Network Research, Official research team of The Water Network in Business
Armela Farms, an expert in hydroponic farming and the largest producer of water-grown lettuce in the UAE, now has a production capacity of 1.6 million lettuce heads – the equivalent of 330 tonnes per year.
As an innovator in the large-scale commercial production, packing and distribution of lettuce and kale, Armela Farms utilises cutting-edge hydroponic growing technology, on-site storage, packing, and local distribution methods to redefine local food supply, the company said.
By producing natural, eco-friendly, locally grown, farm-fresh, 100% pesticide-free products, Armela Farms continuously reaffirms its commitment to feeding people in cities in a way that is positive for the environment.
The UAE is globally renowned for blending the core values of its agricultural history with the latest innovations and technologies. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has prioritised increasing the use of hydroponic farms, cooling and climate control technologies to overcome the historical problems of scarcity of water resources and arable land, soil salinity, difficult environmental conditions and typically high production costs. Consequently, Armela Farms is striving to perfect the process and become the industry standard in UAE, it said.
After launching the company in August 2016, the Armela team has spent more than two years in Research and Development regarding the best techniques, varieties of produce and optimum climate conditions, before celebrating its first harvest in August 2018. Since then, the team has advanced its process to achieve over 250% of an increase in production and is currently finalising the opening of a new facility for Q1 2021, which will boast over 3 hectares of fully automated advanced lettuce farm, making the largest commercial hydroponic project in the UAE.
At Armela Farms, produce is delivered immediately upon harvesting, with no or minimum storage or shipping time, to provide customers with produce that is fresher, tastier and more nutritious, while lasting longer. As the topic of food security becomes more prevalent across the GCC, these fantastic new technologies are going to make access to affordable and nutritious food easier for everyone.
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Taxonomy
- Hydroponics