UAE: The Rise of ‘Agriculture as a Service’

Maan Said, Founder and CEO of CRYSP Farms, said, ‘We use a standardised modular box of 14.8 x 3.2 x 3.6 metres, which contains a water tank, nursery and preparation area. With this box, we can produce at least 10kg of fruits and vegetables per day.’ .

CRYSP Farms, based in Dubai, offers a ‘farm-as-a-service’ offering that includes everything from farm design to permitting, construction, planting and distribution. 13 vertical farms are currently operated by CRYSP Farms in the GCC and Seychelles, including the Ritz-Carlton Dubai, JBR, Carrefour Me'aisem and Mandarin Oriental. JBR, Carrefour Me'aisem and Mandarin Oriental.

CRYSP Farms' technology is flexible, which allows the company to remain open-minded when designing farms for different clients. For example, a farm in Dubai has very different cooling requirements compared to a farm in a temperate region. When considering a vertical farm installation in a supermarket, it may require a smaller footprint but may be a little taller.

Maan affirms, ‘The units are designed for the environment they are in and the specific crop. We use a variety of hydroponic techniques, ultimately based on the space allocated to us by the client.’ .

CRYSP enables small batch production.

Thanks to the company's close relationship with its customers,CRYSP Farms has a clear understanding of the products that are currently in demand and the market niche that vertical farming can filland it's not all about green leafy varieties.CRYSP Farms grows 130 different varieties in its vertical farming system and offers customers the flexibility to adjust yields to meet their needs. For example, many customers need a combination of products in small batches, or a few varieties in large batches. For CRYSP Farms, either option is viable.

‘This technology makes a lot of sense for hotels because sometimes, they don't always get the ingredients they need on a weekly basis or the products don't have a long shelf life. the on-site production at CRYSP Farms alleviates this problem, and we can monitor the farms from anywhere without a lot of added work at the client's site,’ Maan said.

We offer farm

CRYSP Farmers wants to focus on its hotel and supermarket facilities in GCC and Seychelles, but is looking to expand its presence throughout the Middle East and Africa. The company will soon begin operating farms in Egypt. Taking it a step further, CRYSP Farms is considering selling the farm and its operations to catering companies, which would allow catering companies to produce their own fresh vegetables. In addition, CRYSP Farms is interested in partnering with food processing companies.

Mann says, ‘Other catering companies will bring in produce, but we can bring in an entire farm and the chefs can prepare everything fresh and available on site.’ .

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