First consignment of GigaFarm tech shipped from UK to UAE

British vertical farming technology manufacturer, Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS), has sent its first major consignment of specialist parts to the UAE for the world's first GigaFarm at Dubai Food Tech Valley. This infrastructure project is being developed on a 900,000 sq. ft. plot by Dubai-based group, ReFarm Global (ReFarmTM), as part of an initiative designed to address food security.

The initial shipment will consist of 800 6m2 Growth Trays with Lights (GTLs), which are the individual trays that sit within the 12-metre-high vertical farming towers. These patented trays are an essential component of IGS' indoor growing system, offering advanced climate control for optimal crop growth.

ReFarmTM and IGS formally broke ground on the project in November 2024. When complete, the "GigaFarm" will co-locate six complementary technologies, of which vertical farming is just one, establishing a self-contained closed-loop ecosystem designed to maximize resource efficiency and prevent waste from going to landfills.

© Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS)

Gareth Thomas, UK Minister for Exports, said: "Our Plan for Change is backing British business to take advantage of opportunities to export abroad while sharing innovation and growing the economy.

"Following the Business and Trade Secretary's visit to the GigaFarm site in Dubai last year, it's particularly exciting to see the next phase of IGS' world-leading vertical farming technology. Our work to boost trade and investment in the region will continue to deliver jobs and opportunities in the UK."

The site will begin food production later this year and will be capable of growing more than three million kilos of produce annually using IGS vertical farming technology. In addition, by diverting more than 50,000 tonnes of food waste from landfill each year through integrated waste-to-value and regenerative farming technologies, the GigaFarm will significantly advance the UAE's efforts to decarbonize food production, replacing 1% of the country's fresh produce imports.

Andrew Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer of Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS), commented: "This marks a significant milestone as we begin shipment of the technology which can help unlock a more sustainable era of food production. Our state-of-the-art GTLs are a crucial component of our vertical farm systems, enhancing both productivity and resource efficiency for crop growth, which is particularly vital in the UAE's arid climate.

"I would like to extend my gratitude to both the UAE and UK governments for continuing to support this transformative project."