How the UAE avoided food shortages during the pandemic

Jun 4, 2020

General view of a high tech vertical farm where local farmers have a chance to cultivate their crops, despite the nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates April 13, 2020. Picture taken April 13, 2020. REUTERS/Abdel Hadi Ramahi - RC2G8G9LV9NU

High tech vertical farms have allowed the UEA to avoid food shortages during the pandemic. Image: REUTERS/Abdel Hadi Ramahi

Rabiya Jaffery

Journalist, Thomson Reuters Foundation

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Agriculture uea coronavirus covid farming high tech technology innovation seed seedling plants crop cultivate pollen insects bugs bees honeybees bumblebees farming farms crops crop stable

An ICBA scientist helps a farm-owner in the Al Wagan area near Al-Ain, UAE, December 6, 2018. Image: HANDOUT/International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)

Quinoa seedlings are pictures at ICBA headquarters in Dubai, UAE, April 16, 2017. Image: HANDOUT/International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)

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