Key Takeaways

• SPARK and Tathmeer Agri Tech are establishing a smart Agri-Tech Innovation Centre in Sharjah, focusing on sustainable agricultural technologies.
• The centre will facilitate R&D, training, and market access, connecting farmers with technology providers and investors.
• Collaboration with Elevate Farms enhances the centre’s capabilities in vertical farming technologies for the UAE region.

New Agri-Tech Innovation Centre Launches in Sharjah

Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SPARK) is collaborating with Tathmeer Agri Tech (FZC) to create an integrated Agri-Tech Innovation Centre aimed at enhancing Sharjah’s status in sustainable agriculture. This facility will serve as a platform for demonstrating, testing, and validating agricultural technologies before their commercial launch.

Set to be built on dedicated land at SPARK, the centre will feature advanced agricultural techniques, including controlled-environment agriculture, hydroponics, vertical farming, and AI-driven monitoring systems. Tathmeer’s digital platform, FarmBridge, will also play a pivotal role in the operations. The centre aims to support applied R&D, provide farmer training, and encourage connections among agricultural producers, technology providers, investors, and markets.

The launch event, attended by government officials, agricultural and tech sector stakeholders, and the media, included a panel discussion on agricultural technology’s future. The official signing ceremony between SPARK and Tathmeer marked the beginning of this transformative initiative.

The partnership also extends to Elevate Farms, which specializes in vertical farming technologies. Their collaboration will facilitate the demonstration and potential deployment of these technologies in the UAE and broader region.

Hussain Al Mahmoudi, CEO of SPARK, emphasized that the initiative aligns with Sharjah’s vision to attract investments that blend technology, applied research, and real-world infrastructure to tackle issues like food security. He noted that by providing essential resources and access to ecosystems, SPARK aims to accelerate sustainable agricultural innovations.

H.E. Faisal Lutfi, Co-Founder of Tathmeer, described the centre as a crucial step towards building an integrated environment for advanced agricultural technologies. The goal is to connect cutting-edge technology with practical farms, training programs, and market access, ultimately fostering a robust agricultural ecosystem within the UAE.

Central to the centre’s mission is Tathmeer’s FarmBridge Agri-Ecosystem, which strategically links farmers, tech companies, government bodies, and supply-chain operators. This coordinated approach addresses key commercial questions farmers face and enables agricultural technologies to be tested in real conditions.

Additionally, the centre will focus on training and skills development, offering certification and field learning for farmers and tech adopters. It will act as a testing ground for emerging agricultural technologies, aiding startups and providers in demonstrating their solutions and ensuring their commercial viability.

Overall, the Agri-Tech Innovation Centre will support the UAE’s broader objectives of food security and sustainability while reinforcing Sharjah’s appeal to tech firms capable of delivering scalable agricultural solutions. Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park aims to cultivate a thriving innovation ecosystem that bridges research, technology, and market needs.

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