Emirates Council For Food Security Discusses Strategies For Plant The Emirates National Programme
The Emirates Council for Food Security recently convened under the leadership of Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment. The meeting highlighted the Ministry's role in advancing the 'Plant the Emirates' National Programme and developing the National Food Security Strategy 2051. Discussions also covered international agriculture trends to bolster the UAE's food supply.
Dr. Al Dahak praised Silal, which operates the largest Automated Packhouse in the Middle East, for its contributions to local food production. She stated, "The launch of the ‘Plant the Emirates’ National Programme and the National Agricultural Centre by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, marks a major step forward in the UAE's efforts to achieve sustainable food security."
The meeting explored how private sector involvement can enhance agricultural practices through expanded projects and partnerships. This includes equipping communities with home farming skills. The role of the National Agricultural Centre was also discussed, focusing on supporting national farmers with training and advisory services for climate-smart agriculture.
Dr. Al Dahak emphasised collaboration among stakeholders to foster a community-driven movement enhancing agriculture in the UAE. She noted that achieving goals requires unified efforts to ensure a secure food future for the nation.
The council reviewed updates to the National Food Security Strategy 2051, aiming for top global ranking by that year. Key goals include diversifying import sources, reducing food waste, and improving nutrition ecosystems. The strategy aligns with global changes to strengthen food supply chains.
Additionally, discussions addressed data governance by regularly analysing food-related data to enhance decision-making processes. This approach aims to tackle challenges like price fluctuations and production disruptions proactively.
Global Food Security Summit Participation
The council prepared for UAE’s participation in November’s Global Food Security Summit in Abu Dhabi during Global Food Week. This summit will focus on sharing best practices and innovations in food security while reinforcing UAE’s role as a dialogue hub.
A tour of Silal’s facility showcased its capabilities in packaging agricultural products and supporting local farmers. Spanning 12,000 square metres, it has a capacity of 325 tonnes with advanced pre-cooling rooms ensuring high-quality standards.
Silal's Commitment to Local Farmers
Silal is dedicated to supporting farmers through advanced technologies and clean energy solutions since its inception in 2020. It has provided 26,000 products across 200 brands with daily distribution operations reaching over 70 markets.
The company promotes agricultural innovation by collaborating with more than 900 local farms and producing millions of seedlings using modern technologies. It also supports farmers’ markets across various regions.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on enhancing collaboration among all parties involved in agriculture and food security initiatives within the UAE. This collaborative approach aims at fostering sustainable growth while ensuring a secure future for national food supplies.
With inputs from WAM
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