UAE – On the sidelines of the COP28 climate conference, Expo City Dubai unveiled an organic farm, Expo City Farm, with a vision to make the city and its occupants self-sufficient.
The farm, located at the Green Zone at COP28, is designed to address environmental challenges and aims to revolutionize agricultural patterns, especially because conventional agriculture contributes to a third of the current global carbon emissions.
Established in a 1,700-meter land space, the city farm is projected to produce nearly three tons of food per season.
Ten-value crops will be cultivated at Expo City Farm and showcase indoor or vertical farming to produce micro-greens and edible flowers.
Another food source grown at Expo City Farm is mushrooms grown on coffee grounds. The same waste coffee granules consumed at Expo City will be used to grow different shapes and shades of mushrooms.
“The Expo City farm is important to us for several reasons,” expressed Matt Brown, chief of sustainability at Expo City.
“What we are trying to do here is play a part in some global issues such as water scarcity, and urbanization, and help achieve decarbonization by 2050.”
The farm employs cutting-edge technology, including solar panels for shading, biochar, natural fertilizers, and Air to Water Technology. This transformational climate technology enables the atmosphere to become an around-the-clock renewable energy and water resource.
It also integrates fields of diverse crops, agricultural technology structures, and equipped halls for daily dialogues during COP28 in its solar-shaded areas for workshops and sustainability discussions.
Expo City Farm will spotlight regenerative agriculture or the process of rotating crops to improve biodiversity.
Mai Shalaby, Sustainability Manager at Expo City Dubai, stated that COP28 provided the opportunity to launch the Expo City Farm.
“Expo City Farm is committed to sustainable agriculture to preserve the environment and human health featuring various crops suitable for arid countries, consuming minimal water,” emphasized Shalaby.
She also highlighted crops, including vegetables, legumes, desert, and medicinal plants, as well as vertical indoor farming, water recycling, and Air to Water Technology.
The Expo Dubai City Farm illustrates a commitment to climate solutions, embodying the belief that innovation and collaboration with local and international partners can drive progress toward a better future for people and the planet. It provides an opportunity to witness the growth of over 30 crop types.
Montana Technology employed by the farm utilizes the atmospheric water generation method, transforming it into renewable water.
Expo City Farm is a pioneering initiative in renewable agriculture, addressing water scarcity and climate issues, and urban expansion.
The farm, a permanent feature, will host workshops and cooking classes by sustainability-focused chefs. COP28 attendees can make pledges for environmental initiatives.
Expo City Dubai will feature sustainability programs, including the iconic Terra Pavilion and the Expo City Dubai Pavilion focusing on the city’s sustainable living blueprint.
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