Agricultural Licences In Abu Dhabi Increase By 29% Driven By Food Security Strategy

The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), part of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), has reported significant growth in agricultural, fisheries, and livestock licences for the first nine months of 2025. This increase is attributed to the emirate's food security strategy and growing investor interest. ADRA issued 152 new licences from January to September, marking a 29% rise compared to 118 in the same period last year.

Active licences reached 1,425 by the end of the third quarter, showing a 13.5% increase from 1,255 a year earlier. Al Ain played a major role, accounting for 61.8% of all new licences and 63% of active ones across Abu Dhabi. Al Ain issued 94 new agricultural licences during this time, bringing its total to 896.

These businesses are crucial for supporting food security in both Abu Dhabi and the UAE. They also contribute to job creation and economic growth. The agricultural sector is a priority area under ADDED’s integrated development plans for Al Ain, which aim to strengthen public-private partnerships and expand opportunities.

The sector is expected to continue its upward trajectory following a recent decision that increased permitted on-farm economic activities from 71 to 145 under updated regulations governing commercial farm use. This expansion aligns with Abu Dhabi’s transition towards a smart, diversified, inclusive, and sustainable economy.

Mohammed Muneef Al Mansoori, Director-General of ADRA, stated that Abu Dhabi is committed to providing an integrated ecosystem for agriculture, fisheries, and livestock activities due to their essential role in achieving global food security. "Abu Dhabi is focused on providing an integrated ecosystem to support agriculture, fisheries, and livestock activities due to their vital role in achieving food security, a top priority of economies worldwide," he said.

The ongoing high growth in economic licences reflects the success of initiatives launched by various entities like ADAFSA and the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development. These efforts support investors and entrepreneurs in capitalising on opportunities within agriculture, fisheries, and livestock sectors.

Enhanced Opportunities Through Farm Licences

ADRA continues to introduce initiatives aimed at enhancing business ease in agriculture by offering support programmes for entrepreneurs and investors. The Farm Licence allows UAE nationals owning private farms to engage in up to 145 economic activities. This contributes significantly to agricultural development while opening diverse opportunities such as agri-industries and recreational activities.

Freelancer and Tajer Abu Dhabi licences also include several advisory activities related to agriculture, fisheries, and livestock. Al Mansoori added that efforts are underway to develop the agricultural sector under direct supervision from the Committee for Economic Activities on Farms.

Significant Growth in Licences and Exports

This committee was formed under guidance from the Abu Dhabi Executive Office with members from ADDED, DMT (Department of Municipalities and Transport), DCT (Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi), along with ADAFSA. In 2024 alone there was a remarkable rise of 103% in new agricultural licences within Abu Dhabi.

The value generated by agricultural output increased by 38% over five years—from AED6.8 billion in 2019 up until AED9.5 billion last year—while exports grew by an impressive rate reaching AED8.7 billion or about an increase rate equivalent roughly around thirty-seven-point-five percent overall during this period too!

With inputs from WAM