Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 envisages the nation ranking top on the Global Food Security Index by 2051 aided by a comprehensive national system based on enabling sustainable food production by harnessing modern technologies and enhancing local production.
The strategy also focuses on facilitating global trade, diversifying import sources, and identifying alternative supply schemes.
In line with this, the UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment announced the launch of a Dh100 million programme to finance adoption of agricultural technology in traditional farms.
The programme also aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to achieve "zero hunger" by enhancing sustainable food production and improving nutrition.
ADAFSA's Innovative Farming Practices
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Authority (ADAFSA) is taking the lead in adopting agritech to enhance productivity, efficiency, profitability, and sustainability.
ADAFSA initiatives support higher production rates, reduced water usage, and improved plant health.
In a recent presentation, ADAFS highlighted a slew of modern agricultural methodologies:
Controlled-Environment Agriculture
This method implies cultivating crops in a controlled setting, shielding them from external influences including temperature fluctuations, light exposure, irrigation levels, and atmospheric conditions.
It enables year-round food production and maximises spatial efficiency.
The CEA also includes vertical farming with LED technology that contributes decisively in indoor agriculture by enhancing plant photosynthesis through precise light wavelengths.
The benefits include accelerated harvest cycles, minimal heat emission, long lifespan, energy efficiency, customisable light spectra, and an eco-friendly design.
In addition, CEA encompasses Aeroponics technology that fosters plant growth in an oxygen-rich environment.
Photovoltaic Agriculture
Combining crop cultivation under solar panels, this method harnesses solar energy for both agricultural needs and electricity generation.
This has been widely adopted globally, mainly in sun-rich regions to advocate sustainable use of land for both food and energy production.
Smart Farming
This method integrates data management, remote control, and automation into agricultural operations, aiming to decrease production costs.
