Agtech startup Crop One and Emirates Flight Catering are planting the seeds of sustainable food production in the UAE—and beyond—with the world’s largest vertical farm. Limited arable land and an acute water shortage force the emirates to import nearly 90 percent of the food needed to feed its 9.8 million residents. But the US$40 million site in Dubai could not only increase long-term food security, but also slash the carbon footprint that’s part and parcel of all those imports. Tricked out with an AI-powered, closed-loop water recycling system, the farm is expected to deliver as much as 2 million pounds (900,000 kilograms) of produce annually—and with 95 percent less water than field-grown fruits and veggies. The products are available for purchase at stores in the UAE and are also used for passenger meals on airlines, including Emirates, which owns 90 percent of the catering company partnering on the project. Impressive enough, but the team has an even bigger vision: Create a templ...