MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) is leveraging cutting-edge technologies to empower local farmers and enhance food security, in line with both national sustainability goals and global agricultural trends.
At the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition (ADIFE), hosted at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre as part of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Week, ADAFSA unveiled its “ADAFSA Educational Platform”.
This state-of-the-art digital tool is designed to support the UAE’s farmers by providing them with access to critical agricultural knowledge, Meaad Mohammed Al Rashdi, Research Station Head at ADAFSA, told Aletihad.
The platform will feature a wide array of educational content in both Arabic and English, with plans to expand to other languages like Hindi, Urdu, and Malayalam.
“The ADAFSA Educational Platform is part of our ongoing efforts to bring education to farmers across the UAE, equipping them with the skills needed to implement sustainable practices in agriculture, livestock, and food safety,” said Al Rashdi.
The platform offers real-time online courses on vital topics, such as modern farming techniques, plant and animal health, and sustainable practices. Live streaming allows farmers to interact directly with instructors, while a remote consultation service ensures that users can receive expert advice from ADAFSA’s professionals.
One standout feature is the AI-powered plant disease symptom recognition tool, where farmers can upload pictures of plant diseases and receive instant diagnoses. The platform also includes smart calculators for irrigation and ROI, helping farmers make informed decisions about their agricultural operations.
Moreover, users will have access to an AI-powered chatbot, providing answers to their questions about various agricultural and food-related topics.
Aletihad also spoke to Mansour Ali Aldhaheri, Head of the Fodder Markets Department at ADAFSA, about the Fodder Market app, a comprehensive digital platform aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of livestock feed in the UAE.
The app allows farmers to order herbal and concentrated feeds from ADAFSA-approved suppliers and have them delivered directly to their farms.
“The Fodder Market app empowers livestock farmers by providing them with access to high-quality products that have been tested and verified by ADAFSA,” explained Aldhaheri. “Farmers can compare prices, place orders, and complete transactions in under 15 minutes, streamlining the entire purchasing process. This also ensures they receive the best possible deals, supported by secure payment options.”
The app is available through the TAMM platform, the Abu Dhabi Government Services Center, making it easy for users to sign up and access these services.
Affordable Technologies for Sustainable Farming
Another innovative project showcased at the ADIFE is the AgriTech 4.0 initiative, a collaboration between ADAFSA and the Emirates ICT Innovation Center (EBTIC) at Khalifa University.
In an interview with Aletihad, Ahmed Alzaidi, a researcher at EBTIC, said that the project aims to make cutting-edge agricultural technologies accessible for small-scale farmers in the UAE.
This involved researching and testing affordable sensor technologies that can help farmers monitor key factors like temperature, humidity, and soil moisture, said Alzaidi.
“The sensors we found enable farmers to automate critical systems such as irrigation, fertigation, and cooling in greenhouses, reducing water and energy usage while improving crop yields. These sensors were tested to ensure they withstand the UAE’s harsh climate, and they’re cost-effective, which means that farmers can replace them easily if they malfunction,” he added.
By offering low-cost, high-impact technological solutions, this initiative aims to help local farmers grow sustainably and profitably, Alzaidi noted.
The Abu Dhabi Genome Blueprint for Agriculture
One of ADAFSA’s ambitious projects is the Abu Dhabi Genome Blueprint for Agriculture, a comprehensive programme launched in 2023 to conserve and enhance the genetic resources of plants and livestock.
Speaking with Aletihad, Munira Jassem Alblooshi, a researcher at ADAFSA, explained that the project will make Abu Dhabi a regional and global leader in agricultural genetic research, ensuring the sustainability and resilience of the UAE’s food production systems.
“We’re building a gene bank to conserve the genetic resources of native plants, animals, and even fish species,” Alblooshi noted. “This will not only ensure the preservation of our local agricultural biodiversity but also help improve breeding practices to withstand the harsh conditions of the UAE, such as extreme temperatures and water scarcity.”
Alblooshi outlined the multi-phase nature of the project, which involves gathering genetic data, enhancing existing breeds, and eventually creating a comprehensive database of genetic resources.