Bustanica (Emirates Crop One)

Bustanica is one of the world’s largest vertical farms, located at Dubai World Central and operated by Emirates Crop One, a joint venture between Emirates Flight Catering and Crop One Holdings. Opened in 2022, Bustanica spans approximately 330,000 square feet and produces around three tons of leafy greens per day using advanced hydroponic systems entirely without pesticides or herbicides. The farm operates in a fully controlled indoor environment where light, temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery are precisely managed to optimize crop growth and resource efficiency. Bustanica’s water consumption is approximately 250 times less than that of conventional field farming, making it an exceptional model for sustainable food production in the UAE’s water-scarce desert environment. The facility initially supplies fresh salad greens to Emirates airline passengers and will expand its distribution to retailers across the UAE. As a large-scale demonstration of what vertical farming can achieve, Bustanica represents a landmark development in the region’s efforts to build resilient, technology-enabled food systems that reduce dependence on imports. The venture is supported by Emirates Flight Catering’s logistics and distribution infrastructure and benefits from Crop One Holdings’ global expertise in vertical farming technology and operations. Bustanica has attracted significant international attention as proof that very large-scale sustainable food production in desert environments is both technically feasible and commercially viable.