Authority launches sustainable farming plan

An agricultural development plan aimed at increasing the efficiency of sustainable farming has been launched by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.

It encourages all of the emirate’s farmers to adopt a climate-smart approach.

“The comprehensive plan for agricultural sustainability supports the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative, and is in line with global trends to promote climate-smart agriculture and food production,” said Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the board of directors of the Authority.

“The climate neutrality initiative contributes to promoting sustainable development and supports innovation, technology localisation, the development of modern farming techniques, food security and the conservation of natural resources.”

The objective of climate-smart agriculture is to increase the productivity and economic return from farming, while adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

The Authority hopes to improve water usage and reduce reliance on groundwater.

Farmers will be encouraged to use recycled or desalinated water sources and to cultivate crops that consume less water and are more resilient to the climate of the UAE.

Laws governing water consumption will also be introduced.

Farmers in Abu Dhabi have already been encouraged to shift towards organic agriculture, and 75 farms have made the transition.

The Authority’s research stations are investigating the viability of various smart farming techniques, including vertical farms that can produce five to 10 times the yields of traditional agriculture, and drip irrigation techniques to improve water efficiency. Researchers are also exploring ways to identify and predict epidemics and animal diseases by using algorithms.

The Authority has prepared its agriculture plan in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN.