ADU launches first portable aeroponics farm: Abu Dhabi University (ADU) has launched its first on-campus AirFarm — a lightweight inflatable and portable aeroponic farm — in partnership with South Korean smart ag-tech company Midbar and UAE’s Rashed bin Khalfan Al Mutawa Dhaheri Holding Company (RBK), according to a statement. The newly installed AirFarm will be used as an educational facility for students to learn about sustainable solutions aimed at overcoming climate-driven food security challenges, as well as providing tools and resources to explore new green innovations. The project is part of ADU’s Innovate Strategy initiative which aims to accelerate sustainable and innovative agricultural solutions.

How does it work: The AirFarm uses Internet of Things (IoT) based aeroponics and water harvesting technology to grow crops with minimal water use, according to Midbar’s website. It can be packaged and installed in any building, outdoor space, rooftop, basement, or even deserts within only 2 hours. Its inflatable feature allows 20 farms to be shipped in one container whereas typical smartfarms can fit only one. The farm can grow lettuce, basil, herb, medical hemp, and root crops, and is highly durable with an ability to operate 30 years without damage. The partnership between ADU and Midbar also plans to launch an outdoor version that can work under the UAE's climate conditions, the National writes.

SOUND SMART- What the heck are aeroponics? Aeroponics is a plant-cultivation technique that does not use soil or any other growing medium, but instead leaves the roots to dangle in the air, where they are periodically puffed by specially-designed misting devices, Modern Farmer explains. “In aeroponics systems, seeds are “planted” in pieces of foam stuffed into tiny pots, which are exposed to light on one end and nutrient mist on the other,” Modern Farmer adds. The foam holds the stem and root mass in place as the plants grow. Aeroponics can grow crops 1.5x faster than hydroponic methods which use water or alternative soil as the growing medium, Midbar says.

AirFarms can unlock major environmental gains: The farm uses 97% less water than conventional methods, is 20% less carbon intensive than container farms during transport, can reduce water operating load by up to 90% compared to existing smart farms, and reduces logistics costs by 95%, according to Midbar’s website.