This exclusive interview with Tahir Abdul Bari, CEO & MD – TAB group, comes ahead of the Global Vertical Farming Show (GVF), a highly successful annual event that brings together experts, investors, growers and leaders in the vertical farming space from across the globe.
Q1: Can you tell us about the significance of the Global Vertical Farming Show (GVF) in Dubai?
The Global Vertical Farming Show (GVF) has gained immense significance in the Middle East – all thanks to the tremendous support that the event got in the previous 4 editions from key government bodies including the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change & Environment – MOCCAE, (under whose patronage it is held) along with key notable bodies such as, Emirates Environmental Group, Emirates Nature WWF, ADAFSA, AAAID & many others.
The success was a testament to the belief that in resource-scarce regions like the GCC Countries or the entire Middle East (ME) – Vertical Farming has come all tall and strong.
Since we all know that close to 35000+ vertical farms are reported to exist in ME. Bustanica, Uns Farms, Veggitech, Pure Harvest Smart Farms & Smart Acres are some examples with many farms coming up in the future, there is no better time than now to take your BUSINESS to the region.
If we talk about Dubai, where the show is said to take place on 10th & 11th September 2024 at Le Méridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre, UAE, the city food industry is one of the priority sectors and an integral part of its Industrial Strategy 2030.
What GVF does is bring together key stakeholders, including policymakers, industry leaders, farm owners (growers), technology & solution providers, government bodies, key associations working in the vertical farming/CEA sector and investors, to explore the latest advancements, and share insights, and foster collaborations that drive the growth of vertical farming in the region.
Q2: Why is GVF the Middle East’s largest and exclusive vertical farming event?
Well, this is my favorite question as to why it is the Middle East’s largest & only exclusive vertical farming event. This is because other agriculture events happen in the region and many of them are very good shows organized by great professionals who work hard to deliver these seamlessly. However, all of these are either centered around different agriculture sectors like Agrochemicals, Agri Machinery, Food, Poultry, etc or a mix of them. Even if vertical farming/CEA is included in any of these events it is a very small fraction of the overall event (not more than 5% – 10%). None of the large events in the region is fully dedicated to Vertical Farming except GVF.
A company whose business revolves around vertical farming & CEA wouldn’t invest time, money & resources to go to an event where 90% – 95% of the business represents Tractors, Aqua & Fishery, AgroChemicals, Fertilizers, Poultry etc – You would invest your time, efforts & resources in GVF which is the “LARGEST” and exclusive “ONLY” vertical Farming show in the Middle East.
Summing it up – when you want to have the best pizza you go to an Italian restaurant, when you want to have Sushi you find the best Japanese Restaurant. When you want to attend a Vertical Farming Event in the Middle East – You come to GVF!
Q3: How does GVF 2024 Dubai contribute to the growth and development of the vertical farming sector in the Middle East?
GVF 2024 Dubai is Vertical Farming’s one of the most influential gatherings where we are proud to let all the valued readers know that the show will host 5000+ targeted attendees, 750+ vertical farming and related companies, 500+ senior conference delegates, and 100+ exhibitors and sponsors from 30+ countries.
Held under the patronage of UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment – MOCCAE, this edition promises to be bigger and more impactful than ever before.
Additionally with the strong support from significant organizations like the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development (AAAID), Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), FoodTech Valley, World Green Economy Organization, Emirates Development Bank, Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park, NITAJ (Oman Food Investment Holdings), and many more, making the show an exceptional experience for all our valued stakeholders and participants.
The top growers and retail chain partners have joined us including Emirates Bustanica, Al Aliyo Hydrofarms, Uns Farms, Elite Agro Projects, Veggitech, Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Themar al Emarat, Smart Acres, Maryannes Fresh Produce, Aranya Farms, Elite Agro Projects, Gracia Group, HFV Farms, Ghaf Farms, KRISPR Farms, Fresh on Table, FIT Fresh, Sharjah Co-op, Union Co-op and several others.
What’s more? Well, we have, top-tier industry investment partners and growth accelerators who are with us as our valued investors. Don’t forget to meet Grover Ventures, EY Parthenon, V7 Group, Boostable, Dubai Cultiv8 Investments, Sprezzatura Advisors, Alpen Capital, Food Seed Tech VC, Pegasus FinInvest, Homegrown Ventures etc.
Eventually when all that value chain will come together under one roof, this emerging sector will benefit from new companies expanding in the region, more business collaborations and fruitful partnerships, that is the need of the hour.
Q4: What are some key trends and innovations in vertical farming that attendees can expect to see at GVF 2024?
I too am very excited to reveal some of the best vertical farming innovations here. Our dear attendees can expect to see outstanding exhibits including Autonomous Vertical Farming Systems, Advanced Hydroponic Systems, Container-Based Farming, Innovative Food Packaging Solutions, High-Tech Food Processing Machines, Advanced Lighting and Sensor Technologies, Real-Time Agricultural Analysis Systems, Eco-Friendly Plant Growth Products, Smart Automation and Digitalization Tools, Industrial and Commercial LED Lighting, Pluggable Electrical and Safety Technologies and a lot more.
