British agritech specialist Intelligent Growth Solutions (IGS) has completed its first major shipment of vertical farming equipment to a landmark agricultural development in Dubai.
The delivery includes 800 Growth Trays with Lights (GTLs), each covering six square metres. These patented trays are essential components of IGS’s 12-metre-high vertical farming towers, enabling precise climate control to support crop cultivation in challenging desert conditions.
The technology is destined for a vast new GigaFarm being developed in Dubai’s Food Tech Valley. The 900,000-square-foot facility is designed to operate as a closed-loop ecosystem, using regenerative farming and waste-to-value systems to minimise environmental impact.
“This marks a significant milestone as we begin shipment of the technology which can help unlock a more sustainable era of food production,” said Andrew Lloyd, CEO of IGS. “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.”
Once operational, the GigaFarm is expected to produce more than three million kilograms of fresh food each year, while diverting over 50,000 tonnes of food waste from landfill. The development is seen as a key step in supporting food security and sustainability goals in the region.
Construction began in late 2024, with initial production set to start later this year. Full-scale operations are expected by 2026, with the site contributing to local ambitions to reduce reliance on imported fresh produce.
