Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in the UAE (2024)

FAQs

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security in the UAE? ›

In 2020, the UAE Cabinet launched the National System for Sustainable Agriculture, which targets boosting the UAE's agricultural self-sufficiency, improving the sector's economic returns, and increasing investments in it. The system is managed by MoIAT and was developed under the AgTech Accelerators program.

The UAE has established a number of agricultural research centers and institutions, such as the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) and the Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Center, which aim to develop innovative and sustainable agricultural practices that are adapted to the country's unique climate and ...

The National Strategy for Food Security aims to make the UAE the world's best in the Global Food Security Index by 2051 and among the top 10 countries by 2021. It also aims to develop a comprehensive national system based on enabling sustainable food production by using modern technologies and enhance local production.

The UAE is adopting holistic and systemic approaches for food systems transformation, by harnessing research, technology and innovation as an integral aspect of its National Food Security Strategy.

The UAE's efforts to reduce emissions include increasing reliance on clean energy, boosting energy efficiency, expanding capacity for carbon capture, use, and storage, conserving blue carbon ecosystems, promoting sustainable agriculture, and implementing environment-friendly waste management.

The UAE focuses on achieving sustainable development goals that would enable access to clean energy, adequate and affordable food, quality education, health care, sustainable economic growth, healthy ecosystems and increased resource efficiency, as all these issues resonate strongly in the country.

We found that students and youngsters are mostly interested in the future of the SDGs in the UAE. Additionally, citizens are more interested in sustainability than residents due to the different levels of living standards between them.

The national system for sustainable agriculture aims to improve the efficiency of farms, enhance self-sufficiency in food and create new opportunities to ensure that the agriculture sector is always ranked among the best. Read more about the national system for sustainable agriculture.

To tackle the problem, ne'ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, is driving efforts to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030. To dig up the root causes of food waste, ne'ma conducted the UAE's first National Household Survey of over 6,000 adults.

UAE Government Initiatives:

This includes initiatives to increase domestic agricultural production, invest in modern farming techniques, and secure food supply chains. Food Aid Programs: The UAE government engages in humanitarian efforts to combat hunger globally.

What are the challenges of agriculture in the UAE? ›

According to this investigation, the major constraints to protected agriculture in the UAE are low-tech facilities, extreme heat, and water limitation. The use of high-tech technologies, on the other hand, can provide a solution to overcome these difficulties and increase food security.

Eco-tourism initiatives in the UAE not only promote environmental awareness but also conserve natural reserves. The nation's commitment to sustainable tourism practices and the protection of marine areas enhances its appeal as a destination that values nature and its preservation.

The UAE has prioritised the use of hydroponic technology among farmers, who rely on nutrient-rich water to grow plants with the use of little or no soil. This revolutionary method reduces water usage by up to 70% while avoiding harmful chemicals and allowing for a longer growing season.

The minister stressed that the UAE's policy on food systems was strengthened ahead of COP28 with the inclusion of sustainable agriculture in the UAE's Net Zero 2050 Strategic Initiative launched in 2021. Since then, national capacities have been established in vertical farming, hydroponic farms, and other areas.

Abu Dhabi Initiatives

The vision is based on four pillars of sustainability: environmental, economic, social and cultural.

Sustainable Development

This regulation mandates minimum energy and water standards for all new buildings in the UAE to promote sustainability. These efforts are in line with the Environmental Law, which restricts construction activities that could harm the environment.

Commitment to Sustainability

Key projects include the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, an ambitious endeavor aiming to generate 5,000 MW of clean energy by 2030, and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which seeks to achieve 75% of the city's energy from clean sources by 2050.

Food Security Strategy: The UAE government has implemented a comprehensive Food Security Strategy aimed at enhancing the nation's self-sufficiency in food production. This includes initiatives to increase domestic agricultural production, invest in modern farming techniques, and secure food supply chains.