Today's Edition
BATOOL GHAITH (ABU DHABI)
The UAE continues to position itself as a global leader in sustainable food systems, harnessing innovation and technology to strengthen national food security amid the challenges of climate change and arid conditions.
Kaltham Ali Kayaf, Director of the Animal Development and Health Department at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the Emirates Food Security Secretariat, said that agritech plays a vital role in building a more resilient and resource-efficient food system.
"Agritech is one of the main pillars of the National Food Security Strategy, which was built with an ambitious vision, focusing on enhancing local production through innovation," Kayaf told Aletihad during the Global Food Week in Abu Dhabi.
Kayaf noted that the National Food Security Strategy is based on five main directions: enhancing sustainable and technology-enabled domestic food production, facilitating global agribusiness trade and diversifying international food sources, reducing food loss and waste, sustaining food safety and nutritional intake, and strengthening the capacity to respond to food security risks and crises.
"The UAE has taken the lead not only regionally but also globally in terms of climate resilience and food security, launching several initiatives in collaboration with international and private sector partners that have produced tangible outcomes," she noted.
Kayaf also revealed that the UAE is working closely with the Gulf Cooperation Council to establish a unified GCC Food Security Strategy.
According to Kayaf, the UAE has invested heavily in food processing infrastructure, along with research and development collaborations to design crop and production systems suited to desert conditions, thereby turning the challenge of harsh weather conditions and arid lands into opportunity.
"Through partnerships with different organisations and innovation hubs, the country is developing solutions that can match local weather and environmental realities, to embed innovation and technology that help overcome environmental barriers," she added.
Kayaf noted that the Global Food Week serves as a platform to highlight the UAE's growing efforts and collaborations in food security.
"Through this event, the ministry aims to showcase its initiatives, partnerships with private and public sectors, and engagement with communities, all of which contribute to strong and successful outcomes for the UAE in achieving food security," Kayaf said.
