Emirates Agriculture Conference Engages Academic Institutions To Enhance Food Security In The UAE

The Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), is underway at ADNEC Centre Al Ain from 28-31 May. The event, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, aims to enhance the UAE's agricultural sector and food security. It has drawn significant interest from students, academics, and the community.

A panel discussion titled "Empowering Innovation & Scientific Research for Sustainable Solutions" was a key feature. Eng. Amal Abdulrahim moderated the session, which included Prof. Dr. Ahmed Murad Al Raisi, Prof. Dr. Ebrahim Saeed Al Hajri, and Dr. Aisha Ahmed Bu Shlaibi. They explored how innovation can tackle agricultural challenges and stressed collaboration between academia and industry.

Another panel focused on aquaculture's role in boosting local food production. Moderated by Hiba Obaid Al Shehhi, it featured Prof. Dr. Ali Hilal Alnaqbi, Badr Mohammed Obaid, and Dr. Ihab Redha Ahmed. The discussion highlighted aquaculture's potential in enhancing food security through high-quality fish protein production and innovative water-saving technologies.

Dr. Lucy Wallace delivered a keynote address emphasising investment in people to secure future agrifood needs. She stated that "innovation and technologies do not scale themselves; it's people who scale innovations and technologies." Wallace stressed bridging market skill gaps through continuous training to prepare the workforce for current demands.

The conference also addressed farm waste recycling as vital for sustainable development. Eng. Rabia Al Awar led a session featuring Eng. Alya Abdelrahim Al Harmoodi, Eng. Fahem Al Nuaimi, and Enzo Ploder. They discussed transforming agricultural waste into economic resources to support environmental sustainability.

Aisha Al Ateqi presented a keynote on water security challenges faced by agriculture sectors globally. She introduced the "Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture," a competition with an AED 8 million prize pool aimed at finding technologies that reduce water use while maintaining crop yields.

Workshops and Community Engagement

The event included workshops covering topics like home gardening, aquaculture practices, soil management in the Emirates, and date palm propagation techniques. These sessions provided practical advice to farmers and community members interested in sustainable agricultural practices.

MOCCAE collaborated with Ne'ma to conduct a workshop on measuring food loss and waste levels in the UAE as part of a national study. Dr. Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi highlighted efforts towards Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.1b to halve food waste by 2030.

The conference underscored the importance of research centres and universities in advancing agricultural productivity through innovation and collaboration with private sectors.

With inputs from WAM