Engaging academic institutions to support agriculture in the UAE
The Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2025, organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), put Research Centres and Universities in the spotlight on its second day. Taking place at ADNEC Centre Al Ain from 28-31 May, the event has attracted significant participation from school and university students, academics and the community. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the event aims to advance the UAE’s vision of supporting local farmers, strengthening the agricultural sector, and improving sustainable national food security.
A panel discussion on “Empowering Innovation & Scientific Research for Sustainable Solutions” examined how innovation and scientific research can address challenges in the agricultural sector. Moderated by HE Eng. Amal Abdulrahim, Assistant Undersecretary, Support Services Sector at MOCCAE, the session welcomed HE Prof. Dr. Ahmed Murad Al Raisi, Acting Vice Chancellor of UAE University; HE Prof. Dr. Ebrahim Saeed Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University for Science & Technology; and HE Dr. Aisha Ahmed Bu Shlaibi, Chancellor of University of Al Dhaid. The panellists discussed the latest technological and research developments to improve agricultural productivity and food security, emphasising the need to bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications of technology. They stressed the importance of collaboration between universities, research centres, and the private sector, highlighting the transformative potential of technologies like artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and smart robotics.
The conference also featured a panel on Aquaculture – A Key Sector in Boosting Local Food Production. Moderated by HE Hiba Obaid Al Shehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary, Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at MOCCAE, and featuring HE Prof. Dr. Ali Hilal Alnaqbi, Chancellor, University of Khorfakkan; Badr Mohammed Obaid, CEO of Fish Farm; and Dr. Ihab Redha Ahmed, United Arab Emirates University, the discussion explored aquaculture’s strategic role in strengthening food security in the UAE. Panellists highlighted the sector’s potential for increasing local production of high-quality fish protein and discussed the latest technological advancements and innovative sustainability solutions to address water scarcity.
The following panel of the day titled ‘Farm Waste Recycling – A Key Step Towards Sustainable Development’, focused on the importance of farm waste management as a fundamental pillar of the circular economy. The session presented the latest solutions and technologies for transforming agricultural waste into valuable economic resource, contributing to the environmental and economic sustainability of farms. Moderated by Eng. Rabia Al Awar, Head of Waste Management Sector at MOCCAE, the discussion featured HE Eng. Alya Abdelrahim Al Harmoodi, Assistant Undersecretary of Sustainable Communities Sector at MOCCAE; Eng. Fahem Al Nuaimi, Co-Founder & CEO Loam; and Enzo Ploder, Head of Food Security and Creative Impact, ReFarm Global Investment.
Aisha Al Ateqi, Executive Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, outlined the Initiative’s plan to democratise access to affordable, clean water in her keynote address, “The Water Challenge: Innovating Solutions for Water Security.” Built on accelerating innovation, raising awareness, and mobilising action, the Initiative addresses critical water resource management issues, particularly in agriculture. To that end, Al Ateqi announced the “Al Miyah Challenge for Agriculture,” a global competition in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, Aspire, and Silal. The Challenge seeks groundbreaking technologies that slash agricultural water consumption while maintaining or boosting crop yields. With a prize pool of AED 8 million, Al Atiqi invited global innovators, researchers, companies, and startups to participate in solving this pressing global challenge.
MOCCAE, in collaboration with Ne’ma, conducted a workshop to discuss the first national study to measure the levels of food loss and waste in the UAE. The was attended by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at MOCCAE, who affirmed the country’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 12.3.1b, which aims to reduce food waste by 50% by 2030 and the National Food Security Strategy 2051. His Excellency urged representatives from the food and agricultural sectors to actively participate in these national efforts.
In a keynote address, Dr. Lucy Wallace, Director of Global Relationships at the European Institute of Technology for Food Innovation, emphasised the power of investing in people to secure the future of nations. She highlighted the need to bridge market skill gaps through continuous training, stating that “innovation and technologies do not scale themselves; it’s people who scale innovations and technologies.” Dr. Wallace also stressed the importance of teaching both technical and mindset skills to prepare the workforce for current and future agrifood needs.
Another highlight of the second day was a series of community and farmer workshops. These engaging sessions covered a diverse range of themes, from practical advice on ‘Home Gardening’ and ‘Good Practices and Services Available for the Development of Aquaculture’, to more technical explorations of ‘Soil in the Emirates’ and ‘Methods of Date Palm Propagation’. The latter included detailed discussions on ‘Appropriate Planting Time’ and ‘Care for Seedlings After Planting’, among other relevant topics.
The Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2025 is organised within the framework of the ‘Plant the Emirates’ National Programme, launched to realise the vision of the late Sheikh
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for expanding green spaces across the UAE. The conference features the participation of 22 government entities operating in the agriculture and food sectors, alongside more than 40 private companies and over 20 startups in the field. Four national universities are also participating, bringing their extensive research capabilities and distinctive scientific contribution alongside a number of schools that are also joining the event.
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