GigaFarms

Vertical farming on another scale

Maximise resource efficiency and grow more than a billion plants a year.

What is a GigaFarm?

Sustainable solutions to global challenges

At IGS, we define a GigaFarm quite simply as a system capable of growing more than a billion plants each year. But to truly make a difference to global crop production, a GigaFarm has to be much more than simply a large-scale vertical farm.

Integrating vertical farming as just one element of a circular waste-to-value facility decarbonises the supply chain and maximises resource efficiency. This delivers genuine solutions to challenges experienced worldwide, from climate change and associated extreme weather events, through to soil degradation and widespread supply chain disruption.

Read the initial announcement on our first GigaFarm in partnership with Dubai-based company ReFarm.

Why grow in a GigaFarm?

Increased food security

Around 80% of the world's population relies on imported food, and with the global population growing exponentially, we need to increase food production by as much as 68% by 2050. Vertical farming is a crucial piece in the puzzle as we work to find a sustainable path to minimising global food insecurity.

GigaFarms can also deliver significant benefits by localising the supply chain and reducing imports. This is particularly crucial in countries such as the UAE, where more than 80% of food is imported. Climate conditions in the UAE also make it the perfect candidate for GigaFarm production: the region sees average rainfall of just 140-200ml each year, whilst 90% of the country’s land mass has the capability to produce solar energy.

Close up of single corriander leaf under purple LED lights in IGS growth tower

ReFarm: commercial-scale growing in the desert

How IGS’ technology works as part of ReFarm in Dubai's Food Tech Valley

Closed-loop ecosystem

Six complementary technologies to maximise resource efficiency and prevent waste going to landfill

Reduced reliance on imports

Capable of producing 3 million kilos of produce each year, equivalent to 1% of the UAE’s fresh produce imports

Circular waste-to-value production

50,000 tonnes of food waste diverted from landfill each year to decarbonise food production

Local year-round growing

Crops grown close to the consumer to maximise quality, nutrition and shelf-life

Interested in learning more about our systems?

Our team of experts are ready and waiting to talk with you. We'd love to hear from you.