Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, inaugurated the region’s first hydroponic in-store farms at Carrefour.
These farms, operated by Majid Al Futtaim, are located at Carrefour’s stores in Abu Dhabi’s My City Centre Masdar and Yas Mall. They are part of the company’s Net Positive strategy that aims to over-compensate its water and carbon footprint by 2040.
Speaking on the inauguration, Dr. Al Zeyoudi said: "The UAE spares no effort in leveraging new technologies and innovative solutions to reach high levels of sustainability across the board. In this context, MOCCAE supports technological development and innovative techniques in the agricultural sector, including vertical and hydroponic farming that reduces water consumption by at least 90 percent and increases the productivity of multiple agricultural products. The Ministry constantly encourages farmers to adopt modern farming methods through providing subsidized agricultural inputs and guidance."
Dr. Al Zeyoudi acknowledged the achievements of Majid Al Futtaim in initiating projects that harness new farming techniques and contributing to meeting the country’s sustainability goals.
He also applauded Al Serkal Group that helped bring the project to fruition by providing innovative technologies that support the sustainability of the agricultural sector.
Carrefour’s hydroponic farms are the result of a recently renewed memorandum of understanding between MOCCAE and Majid Al Futtaim Retail to sell locally grown agricultural products across all Carrefour stores in the UAE and enhance the use of innovative farming methods. The two farms are the first of their kind to be installed in the region. They use 90 percent less water and less space than traditional farms to deliver around 25 kg of fresh herbs and microgreens a day.
Source: wam.ae