UAEU Launches Smart Mushroom House for Sustainable Farming

Al Ain: The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) has unveiled a cutting-edge Smart Mushroom House, a research-driven facility designed to advance sustainable agriculture and strengthen the country’s long-term food security goals.

Located at Al Foah Research Farm in the Al Ain region, the facility leverages advanced Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to create a controlled environment for mushroom cultivation. The project aligns with the UAE’s ambitious National Food Security Strategy 2051 and promotes the concept of a circular bioeconomy.

Developed by researchers from UAEU’s College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine under the ARIFSID project, the initiative focuses on transforming agricultural waste—especially date palm residues—into nutrient-rich substrates for growing mushrooms. The project is led by Dr. Shyam S. Kurup in collaboration with the University of Malaya’s Omex Laboratory.

The Smart Mushroom House features three intelligent cultivation tents and a central incubator, allowing precise control of temperature, humidity, lighting, and ventilation. This setup enables researchers to grow multiple mushroom species simultaneously under optimal conditions.

With a capacity of up to 600 cultivation bags per cycle, the facility can process nearly three tonnes of substrate, yielding 20–30% production depending on the species. Current research includes oyster mushrooms, lion’s mane, Ganoderma, turkey tail, and king oyster varieties, along with ongoing efforts to domesticate desert truffles locally known as Faqa or Zubaidi.

Beyond cultivation, the project explores innovative applications such as mycelium-based functional foods, edible films, and converting spent mushroom waste into nano-biochar, further supporting sustainable practices.

A key focus of the initiative is nurturing local talent. The facility currently supports multiple research projects involving Emirati students, who are actively working on improving production techniques and adapting them to UAE’s climate conditions. Their contributions have already gained recognition at national platforms, including sustainability and agriculture conferences.

The Smart Mushroom House also serves as a training hub for students, farmers, and individuals interested in sustainable farming. By converting agricultural waste into valuable food resources, the project stands as a practical model for integrating smart technology, sustainability, and innovation.

Through this initiative, UAEU continues to position itself at the forefront of research-driven solutions aimed at enhancing food security in arid and dryland environments.