An exhibition in Masdar City is showcasing how technology can be used to address food security at home.

As the global population continues to grow, so does the need to produce more to meet increasing demand for food. The United Nations estimated that the world’s population could reach 9.7 billion by 2050, with food demand expected to jump by up to 98 percent.

Green revolution

It’s exactly this challenge that has inspired the yearlong exhibition organised by Masdar City and agri-tech specialists Madar Farms.

Bustani – which means ‘garden’ in Arabic – is a smart showcase in Masdar City that features innovative solutions to encourage people to cultivate and grow their own food at home to help provide sustainable solutions and manage food security.

“In 50 years we won’t be able to produce food in the same way because of the changes in the ecosystem,” begins Tatiana Shahir, head of education at Madar Farms. “That’s why there’s this global shift towards new solutions that will allow us to produce the right food at scale, and get it to people locally.”

At Bustani, these new solutions include concepts centred on food production, water and waste management and recycling. Some of the prototypes include a smart chicken coop that utilises solar panels and sensors, a customised beehive with an integrated honey dispenser and a smart appliance capable of growing plants and herbs without sunlight.

Currently, the UAE imports 90 percent of its food supply, making the concept of self sufficient farming ideal, if not a necessity.

Cream of the crop

Plant Cube: This smart appliance allows you to grow herbs and leafy greens using a soilless method and advanced light technology that allows it to grow plans without sunlight.

The Hive: Breed, feed and prepare food-quality insects at home. This device incubates mealworms that can be harvested and turned into food as an alternative and more sustainable protein source.

Farmbot: This robot home gardener can be pre-set to seed, water, weed and check soil moisture levels.

Aerosprings: This vertical tower gardening system can be used outdoors or indoors and uses a soilless growing method with nutrient-rich water.

Need to know

Bustani Smart Home Farming Exhibition is open Sunday to Thursday from 8am to 5pm at the Eco-Villa in Masdar City. Visit: madarfarms.co/bustani

WORDS Ferdinand Godinez