Growing From the Heart: A Conversation with Mehlam Murtaza, Executive Director of Uns Farms.

As one of the largest vertical farms in the Middle East, it tells a story that goes beyond the greens it grows. Mehlam Murtaza, the Executive Director of Uns Farms, shared insights into the farm's rich history, core values, and the essence of their innovative practices.

Uns Farms is a family legacy that spans over 50 years. Founded by Mehlam’s grandfather, the name "Uns Farms" speaks volumes. The name is derived from the Arabic word 'uns', meaning 'from the heart.' This name captures the essence of their ethos—a commitment to providing high-quality, nutrient-rich produce while fostering transparency and connection between consumers and farmers.

As we explored the vertical farms with Mehlam, he introduced us to the Uns Buzz Buttons. Unfamiliar with these intriguing yellow looking flowers, we found ourselves in for a surprise. Mehlam explained to us about Buzz Buttons, also recognized as Szechuan buttons—a distinctive, edible flower renowned for imparting an extraordinary burst of flavor to various dishes. Upon tasting, we experienced an unexpected sensation in our mouths. The buttons produced a tingling and numbing feeling, something we never had experienced before. Our astonished reactions made Mehlam burst into laughter, creating a moment of shared amusement.

This curiosity evolved into a mission for Uns Farms—to break the status quo of relying on imported food and create a transparent business model that allows customers to connect with the farmers behind their food.

Boasting over 100 products, Uns Farms prides itself on cultivating diverse greens, microgreens, edible flowers, exotic herbs, and medicinal crops. Each product serves a unique purpose, contributing to different markets and culinary experiences. Mehlam’s pride shines through as he mentions growing edible flowers, sought after by the finest chefs in the UAE and the Middle East for their opulent dishes. Mehlam shares, echoing the farm's commitment to transparency and local connection, the following:

Mehlam emphasizes the importance of working with partners who share similar values. One such partner is Priva, also a family-run business with a strong ethical base, aligned with Uns Farms’ belief that innovation and collaboration are essential for industry progress.

The collaboration has resulted in implementing advanced technologies for 24/7 control of the farm for both the irrigation process and the climate process within Uns Farms. With the Priva computer system Uns Farms is assured that the right climate for the growth of their plants is being created. The accurate Priva fertilizer dosing systems make sure the plants receive the exact nutrients and water quantities for an ideal crop development. Consistency and quality are key within Uns Farms, hence the choice for Priva.

"I strongly believe agriculture plays an integral role in so many industries in the world. I believe the infrastructure we provide, and the expertise we have, lends itself to so many of these industries. And my dream is to create a company which is not only based on food but which works with many other industries and provides its expertise for them as well," Mehlam envisions, describing Uns Farms reaching beyond agriculture to impact multiple industries.

From the surprising Buzz Buttons to laughter-filled moments, and from providing exquisite edible flowers to top chefs to cultivating medicinal herbs, Uns Farms is more than a farm. It is a storyteller, an innovator, and a pioneer redefining agriculture's future.