In the middle of the Arabian Desert, a green revolution of an unlikely nature is taking root. Dubai, a city of towering skyscrapers and luxury shopping, has made waves in agriculture. That is not easy to imagine—a city built on sand, where farming would boom. But what no one was clear about was that an aggressive growth of agricultural technology, or agtech, was to come.
The Challenge of Growing in the Desert
Agriculture in Dubai is not just difficult; it’s fighting the course of nature. Temperatures are blistering, and there is very little freshwater available. The sand is just not good for most traditional farming methods. On the other hand, what others consider as hurdles are opportunities for innovative minds.
Enter the world of agtech. By taking cutting-edge technology and marrying it with agricultural expertise, Dubai is turning the impossible into possible. From vertical farms that stack crops to the sky, to AI-powered systems that optimize every drop of water, this city sets a new definition of what’s possible in agriculture.
Vertical Farming: Growing Up Instead of Out
One of the most striking innovations in the Dubai agtech scene is vertical farming. Picture towering structures filled with row after row of leafy greens, herbs, and vegetables—all growing without soil, bathed in precisely calibrated LED light.
These high-tech farms use at least 95% less water than usual and can grow crops year-round—irrespective of the intense climatic conditions outside. On the front line of such companies is Pure Harvest Smart Farms, offering fresh, locally grown produce to residents and restaurants in Dubai.
Top AgriTech Startups Transforming UAE’s Agricultural Landscape
FoodTech Valley is the future of agriculture and will be one of the first-ever specialized AgTech cities in the world. With a precinct area of 18 million square feet, it will be based in Warsan and will host some of the most technologically sophisticated, sustainable agriculture methods in the world, such as vertical farming, cellular agriculture, and hydroponics. This initiative is expected to increase the UAE’s exports of fresh produce to regional markets more than tenfold and make available over 300-plus varieties of crops produced using advanced farming practices.
Below is curated a list of 10 AgriTech startups that change the face of farming in the United Arab Emirates:
Pure Harvest
Producer of green leafy vegetables and fruits using hydroponic greenhouses. They use advanced farming techniques to grow greens, tomatoes, berries, and peppers. is at the forefront of sustainable agriculture in the region.
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Badia Farms
The first vertical farm to open its doors in Dubai. This 8,500 sq ft warehouse uses hydroponic technology to grow in-demand microgreens and herbs for local restaurants. Badia Farms aims to close the gap between farm and table while helping Dubai become globally recognized as a fruit and vegetable producer.
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Desert Control
Dubai-based Agri-tech startup recognized among the World Economic Forum’s Top 100 Arab startups. Their revolutionary liquid natural clay (LNC) technology effectively transforms deserts into fertile land, reducing irrigation requirements by 45% in desert environments.
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One of the country’s largest hydroponic agricultural producers, located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. EHF is leading the way in efficient, water-saving farming techniques.
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Madar Farms
hydroponic growing infrastructure based in shipping containers. They provide engineering, procurement, and construction services for farming projects, as well as training for operating these farms. Link:
Right Farm
Provider of a B2B marketplace for fruits and vegetables, connecting farmers with buyers such as hotels, restaurants, caterers, cloud kitchens, and cooking schools. Users can place orders for desired dates and times via the online website and get doorstep deliveries.
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Seafood Souq
Provider of an online marketplace for seafood products. It claims to offer traceable seafood products worldwide, including salmon, oyster, and crab. Users can place orders via the online website. Link:
CRYSP Farms
Provider of vertical farming solutions. It provides hydroponics-based farming solutions along with farm management services, contributing to the UAE’s food security goals. Link:
Greener Crop
Provider of hydroponic farm management services to farmers. It offers customized farm planning and setup, plant growth management solutions via sensor-connected dashboards, and assists farmers in selling their produce to restaurants, hotels, grocers, and supermarket chains. Link:
Advanta
Manufacturer of seeds for sorghum (grain, forages, and sweet), tropical corn, sunflower, canola, rice, sweet corn, and vegetables. is listed on the Bombay Stock exchange (BSE) and the National Stock exchange (NSE) in India.
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Read more on CrunchDubai:
TOP 10 UAE MEDTECH STARTUPS INNOVATING HEALTHCARE IN 2024
TOP 7 CONSTRUCTION TECH STARTUPS DUBAI: REVOLUTIONIZING THE BUILDING INDUSTRY
AI and Robotics: The New Farmhands
Artificial intelligence isn’t just for Silicon Valley anymore. In Dubai’s high-tech farms, AI systems are hard at work, monitoring plant health, predicting optimal harvest times, and even controlling robotic arms that tend to the crops.
These smart systems can detect early signs of disease, adjust nutrient levels in real-time, and drastically reduce water waste. It’s like having a team of expert farmers watching over every single plant, 24/7.
Drones: A Bird’s Eye View of Crop Health
Drones are no longer just for hobbyists or filmmakers. In Dubai’s agricultural sector, these flying machines are becoming indispensable tools for farmers. Equipped with multispectral cameras, drones can survey vast areas of farmland in minutes, identifying issues like pest infestations or irrigation problems before they become visible to the human eye.
This bird’s-eye view allows farmers to address issues quickly and precisely, saving time, resources, and ultimately, crops.
The Future of Farming is Here
Dubai’s push into agtech isn’t just about feeding its own population – it’s about developing solutions that can be applied globally. As climate change and population growth put increasing pressure on the world’s food systems, the innovations coming out of Dubai could help feed millions.
From desert to dinner plate, Dubai is proving that with the right technology and a dash of ingenuity, even the most challenging environments can become agricultural powerhouses. As we look to the future of farming, all eyes are on this unlikely oasis of innovation in the Arabian Desert.
