Iraq, known as "the land of the two rivers," is facing a severe water crisis that directly affects food production. Studies predict that water supporting 98% of the population will run dry by 2040, with potentially devastating consequences. In addition to the water scarcity, Iraq has been in a state of war for decades, resulting in a severe lack of infrastructure in all areas. The prime minister's ambitious strategy for mass infrastructure deployment aims to tackle these issues, but swift, science- and technology-driven action is crucial.
Jamie Burrows, the founder and CEO of Vertical Future, believes that autonomous vertical farming systems, supported by continuously improving plant science data, can have a significant impact on the Iraqi food system. However, scale and alignment with the population's dietary requirements are important and challenging factors to consider. Other countries in the Middle East and North Africa region and across the globe face similar challenges, but Iraq's situation is particularly acute due to its geographical positioning, population demographics, and decades of war.
In the short term, leafy greens are expected to form a core part of the vertical farming offering in Iraq. However, Burrows emphasizes that Iraq is not a market where "premium" priced products will or should be accepted. Therefore, scalable farms must be built that can leverage economies of scale, energy infrastructure, and purchasing power benefits to produce consistent, safe, and high-quality crops at price parity.
Despite the recent tough period experienced by the vertical farming industry, Burrows remains confident in its viability in Iraq. He attributes the challenges faced by some companies, predominantly in the US, to unreasonable return expectations and a lack of proper consideration for the right mix of technology, plant science, and growing expertise. Vertical Future, on the other hand, has pursued a strategy that addresses these factors, recognizing the importance of sustainability in the context of food production.
Sustainability, according to Burrows, should be viewed no differently in Iraq than in any other country. In the context of sustainable food production, Vertical Future defines sustainability as the ability to feed a population with healthy, safe food at a fair price point. The goal is to make healthy food accessible to all, not just the top 1% of the population.
The ultimate goal for Vertical Future and all parties involved is to make Iraq an example of how to address food security and water scarcity issues in the wider region. If vertical farming can succeed in Iraq, a country with numerous challenges, it has the potential to thrive in other geographies with fewer obstacles.
Vertical farming's ability to transform Iraq's food and water scarcity landscape is a testament to the technology's potential to address global food security challenges. As the world faces increasing pressures on its food systems, innovative solutions like vertical farming offer hope for a more sustainable and resilient future.
