UAE EYES TOP OF FOOD SECURITY CHAIN
Production to be boosted by 30-40% in 10 years by deploying modern tech as nation seeks No.1 ranking in global index
Production to be boosted by 30-40% in 10 years by deploying modern tech
The UAE is well on course to meet its goal of increasing food production by 30-40 per cent in 10 years by deploying modern technologies as the nation seeks to attain number one ranking in the Global Food Security Index by 2051, industry experts said at a webinar.
Food experts who took part in Agritech – Enhancing Food Security in the UAE event said they are confident that increased investments and the UAE’S robust digital infrastructure would accelerate the nation’s progress in the field.
The event was organised by DP World, UAE Region and Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) in collaboration with the Middle East Economic Digest. Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security, delivered a keynote speech and Mohammed Al Muallem, CEO and managing director of DP World, UAE Region, and CEO of Jafza gave the opening remarks.
The minister said that ensuring the efficiency of the food supply chain is a top priority for our leadership in the UAE. “Key players like DP World, UAE Region and their flagship port and free zone play a pivotal role in enhancing the UAE’S leading position as a global trade hub, and especially food trade.”
“This supports our National Food Security Strategy in facilitating food trade, in which the strategy serves as a roadmap to overcome all food-related challenges via innovative solutions such as accelerated adoption of agricultural technology [agritech], a strategic direction for the UAE. Agritech will help increase our domestic food production while minimising the use of water, one of the scarcest resources in our region,” said Almheiri.
She said agritech is transforming the UAE “with a growing landscape of controlled environment agriculture in the form of indoor greenhouses and vertical farms that typically use 95 per cent less water than traditional farms”.
According to Fitch, UAE consumer spending over 2021 is positive with real household spending projected to reach Dh505.6 billion in 2021.
“Higher spending power will lead to an increase in demand in the sector. To guarantee no food shortage, countries around the world can use the power of urban agriculture that can provide the global population with at least 10 per cent of its fresh fruit and vegetable supply,” said Henry Gordon Smith, sustainability strategist at Agriculture Consulting.
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, said food security has been a priority in the UAE since its inception.
“From being a country that primarily has vast stretches of desert land to now being a booming hub for agritech, we have indeed come a long way. As we utilise the power of modern technologies to boost agriculture in the nation, we are certain that we will meet our goal of increasing food production by 30-40 per cent in 10 years. Increased investments and the UAE’S robust digital infrastructure will accelerate our progress in the field.”
He pointed out that DP World, UAE Region has been a key contributor to the growth of the F&B sector in the UAE and the region owing to its foodstuff, livestock and agricultural products sector in Jafza that is valued at Dh13.3 billion.
The flagship free zone’s dedicated F&B cluster spreads over an area of 1.55 million sqm, supporting over 4,700 port customers and hosting over 550 companies from more than 70 countries in Jafza.
Al Muallem said the UAE leadership has made great efforts to tackle the environmental challenges, including the inadequacy of water and rain, the consequences of climate change, global warming, the scarcity of fertile land, and the growing population with initiatives such as the National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the Emirates Food Security Council to enhance the flow of the food supply chain.