UAE-based startup Crown Farms, an organic farm management company, has finalized a new partnership agreement with the University of Washington Civil & Environmental Engineering (UW-CEE) department to advance water-efficient irrigation methods in Fujairah and the wider UAE.
In a strategic move poised to “revolutionize” Crown Farms’ sustainable farming commitment, the two parties will embark on an ambitious project to enhance water-efficient irrigation through cutting-edge technology solutions and innovative practices.
Under the terms of this groundbreaking collaboration, signed recently, Crown Farms and UW-CEE will combine their expertise and resources to meet mutual project milestones and objectives. Moreover, UW-CEE has committed to providing a world-class satellite imagery solution that will become vital to new irrigation management systems.
Adrian Galben, General Manager of Crown Farms, said: “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our commitment to ushering in a new era of sustainable farming practices that promote sustainable growth within the UAE while supporting economic development. We are incredibly excited to be working alongside such a distinguished partner in UW-CEE, whose track record for invaluable contributions to forward-facing environmental projects is known around the world. Looking ahead, we are eager to begin making the revolutionary advancements we envisage on the road to establishing a new benchmark for water-efficient irrigation methods as part of our open-field cultivation efforts.”
By leveraging state-of-the-art technology and satellite imagery, the Crown Farms-UW-CEE collaboration is expected to successfully optimize irrigation systems for efficient water utilization, thereby contributing to sustainable and responsible local agriculture in the long term.
Crucially, the optimism of those closest to the project is even more warranted, given UW-CEE’s involvement. Following Crown Farms ‘ close consultation with various experts, the department soon emerged as the outstanding candidate for satellite imagery solution provision.
NASA recently launched a similar program in Bangladesh—the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission—in which CEE Professor Faisal Hossain was instrumental in developing SWOT’s application plan.
By presenting detailed insights into water volume and geographical distribution, SWOT has since enabled scientists, policymakers, and local authorities to better understand, monitor, and manage water resources. With UW-CEE’s experience and capabilities to accommodate Crown Farms’ specific needs, this latest program is already tipped for incredible success.
Additionally, it was confirmed that the Fujairah Research Centre will play a key role in the project as a Knowledge Partner, offering valuable research-backed insights. This multi-faceted collaboration involving local and international partners illustrates Crown Farms’ commitment to driving innovation and fostering sustainable practices in agriculture.
