Kanti Shah was a successful entrepreneur who helmed one of the country’s largest washing soap and edible cooking oil companies, Menengai Oil Refineries Limited.
However, in 2011, he made a momentous decision that would forever change the course of his life and business.
Shah sold his thriving firm to the Rai Group, along with all his possessions, and embarked on a new chapter in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with his son Avir Shah and daughter-in-law Rachan Shah.
“I was running different businesses in Kenya. We started from textile, construction to soap and oil manufacturing and in 2011, we sold our manufacturing of soap and my son moved to Dubai and he started hydroponic farming in Dubai in 2016,” Shah said during an Interview with Business Daily.
Arriving in Dubai, the family faced the challenge of starting anew after selling off all their assets in Kenya.
Driven by the desire to keep the family together and provide entrepreneurial guidance to Avir, they were eager to find a new business venture that could support their livelihoods.
Given the UAE’s arid desert landscape, traditional farming was not a viable option.
However, the family recognized the potential of hydroponic farming – a soilless cultivation method that relies on nutrient-rich water solutions to grow crops.
With the UAE heavily reliant on food imports, the Shahs saw an opportunity to contribute to the local agricultural landscape.
The journey into hydroponic farming was not without its challenges.
The family conducted extensive research and development to identify the most suitable crops for the UAE’s climate.
“We did research and development for different products. We started with cherry tomatoes, herbs, and did a little bit of lettuce,” he recalled.
They experimented with cherry tomatoes and herbs before ultimately settling on lettuce as the most viable option for their hydroponic farm.
The decision was driven by both market demand and the crop’s adaptability to their farming methods.
Armed with determination and knowledge, the Shahs established Armela Farms, a large-scale hydroponic farm specializing in lettuce and kale production.
Their five-acre farm produced an impressive 5,000 heads of lettuce daily.
Undeterred by their initial success, the family had grander ambitions and planned to expand their production to 25,000 heads of lettuce daily by opening a new fully automated plant.
Given the extreme temperatures in the UAE, maintaining a consistent temperature for lettuce growth was crucial. High-tech facilities were essential, and the Shahs invested significantly to achieve their goals.
To fund their expansion, they sought support from local UAE banks, demonstrating their commitment to making their hydroponic farming dream a reality.
Water scarcity was another significant challenge in the UAE.
However, the family devised a solution by sourcing water from the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and utilizing water from their in-house borehole.
To meet stringent standards for plant growth, they employed water recycling techniques such as reverse osmosis.
Armela Farms’ success went beyond their own aspirations.
The family also aimed to strengthen economic ties between Kenya and the UAE. They envisioned doubling imports of vegetables and fruits from Kenya through partnerships with local producers.
To achieve this, they expanded their product range to include baby spinach, avocados, strawberries, and herbs.
Collaborating with Kenyan producer VegPro and other local growers, they were well on their way to achieving their goal.
Supplying their produce to leading retail stores such as Carrefour and local restaurants, the Shahs showcased their unwavering dedication to innovation and success.
Armela Farms’ vision extended beyond just lettuce and kale, and they were determined to see their products reach more supermarket shelves in the future.
“Obviously, we will go to more supermarkets. Right now, our main focus has been Carrefour.”
