Smart Acres aims to improve food security in the UAE


May 14, 2020 | By Rupkatha B

Smart Acres

The newest addition to the UAE’s hydroponic vertical farming industry, Smart Acres aims to improve food security in the Emirates and develop the country’s farming capabilities. Smart Acres is getting ready to launch in the third quarter of 2020. Currently in the proof-of-concept stage, Smart Acres is located in Abu Dhabi on the Armed Forces Officers Club.

Smart Acres is keen to provide a solution to potential socio-economic threats, such as pandemics and climate limitations the Middle East. The vertical farming company developed by a team of experts is set to be a one-of-a-kind agriculture system, which will produce some of the highest yields of crops within the UAE vertical farming industry. In addition, Smart Acres seeks to introduce a new future for producing clean foods, while allowing B2B and B2C sectors to source produces locally.

Also read: Madar Farms pioneering a new way of living

In collaboration with n.thing, a South Korean vertical farming technology company, Smart Acres has been able to design farm modules using an IoT-based technology system to grow and monitor their produce, a system that not only consumes less resources but generates ultra-high quality crops.

We spoke to Sean Lee, director of Smart Acres about the brand’s launch readiness and future plans.

Are you on track for a third-quarter 2020 launch?

Lee: At the moment, we are operating as expected and have surprisingly experienced a large demand for our greens during the current crisis. However, we are not shortening our timeline for a market launch. Due to recent events, we have actually been donating large amounts of our greens to interested parties and F&B groups that assemble wonderful meal kits for frontline essential teams. Rather than speed up the process of launch, we have been utilising this time to enhance our Global Threat and Crisis action plan that involves internal and external measures for operating during times of crisis.

Since hydroponic vertical farming is on the rise, how will Smart Acres differentiate itself?

Lee: Most vertical farms in the region focus on micro-greens and baby greens as they are faster to grow and harvest, but we are pushing the envelope and striving towards cultivating fully-matured crops at industry-standard yields. We are focusing on developing larger quality greens in order to provide a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to mature crops exported from other countries.

How will Smart Acre make local food sourcing sustainable?

Lee: Our R&D and technology team is constantly assessing and modifying processes to adapt to the UAE climate; and as such, adjusting the usage of resources as well. Our in-house developed IoT (internet of things) system closely monitors the growth of our crops and makes changes to parameters so that resources are not wasted. Our long-term goals include developing micro-distance relationships with major food retailers where our modular farms are built in close proximity to retailer warehouses or distribution centres for very short transportation distances and increased freshness. Thus, reducing our carbon footprint. In addition, we plan on strengthening the sustainability and security of the MENA potato industry by developing home-grown potato seeds.

What kind of partnerships – with supermarkets/hypermarkets and restaurants/hotels – are you building?

Lee: Our B2B strategy includes a select group of hotel and restaurant brands that our team has existing relationships with. As for supermarkets and hypermarkets, we’re initially growing our business model through the F&B industry and will move towards supermarkets and hypermarkets in the next phase.

Will Smart Acre follow a farm-to-fork model by launching an online ordering platform?

Lee: We are definitely planning to launch our own e-commerce platform to enable a wider audience to experience our offerings. And our plans include more than the conventional lettuce box!

 

For all the latest retail news from the Middle East, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, like us on Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube page.

Previous Article Next Article

SHARE

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE /


Sunil Kumar, CEO, Spinneys

Starting as a shelf packer in 1994, Sunil Kumar saw his way 

Continue Reading

October 29, 2024 | By RetailME Bureau
Sunil Kumar and Debashish Mukherjee at MRF 2024

What does it take to sustain profitable growth in the post-IPO phase? 

Continue Reading

October 23, 2024 | By Anurima Das

Mahalle began its operations in 2022 as an “Authentic Turkish Grocery in 

Continue Reading

October 7, 2024 | By Anurima Das
Naresh Kumar Bhawnani, Founder & Chairman, West Zone Group

“Retail is a people’s business. When building a retail brand or the 

Continue Reading

October 3, 2024 | By RetailME Bureau
Sunil Kumar, CEO, Spinneys

From being one of the first retailers in Dubai to ban single-use 

Continue Reading

October 1, 2024 | By RetailME Bureau
Walid Shabana, Co-founder & CTO, Rabbit

For starters, Rabbit is a growing e-commerce grocery platform in Egypt always 

Continue Reading

September 30, 2024 | By RetailME Bureau
Arunachalam Palaniappan, CTO, Choithrams

In 2024 grocery retail major Choithrams has achieved several milestones underscoring its 

Continue Reading

September 12, 2024 | By RetailME Bureau
#Topshelftalks session at Food Business Forum 2024

Industry pioneers are embracing a comprehensive strategy that integrates consumer insights, digital 

Continue Reading

July 3, 2024 | By Anurima Das
#EdgeOfTomorrow session at Food Business Forum 2024

The regional grocery retail market is evolving fast keeping pace with constantly 

Continue Reading

July 3, 2024 | By Rupkatha B
#CartToCouch session at Food Business Forum 2024

If anything, the Middle East market is excited about quick commerce – 

Continue Reading

July 2, 2024 | By Rupkatha B
#EcoEchoes session at Food Business Forum 2024

From ethical and local sourcing to adopting cutting-edge technologies to curb food 

Continue Reading

July 2, 2024 | By Rupkatha B
#ByteSizedBreakthroughs session at Food Business Forum 2024

The regional grocery retail market is becoming more and more diverse, offering 

Continue Reading

July 2, 2024 | By Rupkatha B




Download Images RetailME Magazine