The past few years have had a terrible impact globally. From the pandemic to the Ukraine-Russia war, the world has seen some of the biggest adversities of its time. Consequently, global food security took a major setback with 3.1 billion people struggling for healthy food and water – according to the latest UN Food Security and Nutrition Report. UAE is one of the many nations affected by food insecurity.
According to reports by top qualitative research companies, the UAE is challenged by desertification, extreme weather conditions, and groundwater insufficiency, which leads to 80-90% of its food being imported. Despite these tough circumstances, the Emirati nations are working diligently for a future with optimum food security. Dubai is phenomenally contributing to the cause through exemplary innovations in the farming sector.
Following are some crucial steps initiated by the UAE government and Dubai as an individual Emirate to achieve food security in the country.
The National Food Security Strategy
In 2018, the UAE government launched the National Food Security Strategy 2051 aiming to be the global leader for innovation-driven food security. The goal is to improvise the production, consumption, and nutrition of plants, livestock, and marine food resources, thus contributing to the nation’s overall growth and development. The policy has been fruitful since its inception and helped the Emirates to move up from 31st to 23rd position in the Global Food Security Index – a highly commendable transition.
Dubai’s Vertical farm – Bustanica
Dubai’s Bustanica, the world’s largest vertical farm is spread over 330,000 square feet and is home to a wide range of organically grown mixed greens. It holds the capacity to produce 2 million pounds of fresh and quality green vegetables annually, thus tackling supply chain demands for the increasing population. The vertical farm implements AI and the latest tech to grow plants without soil under closed-loop irrigation, minimal human interference, and hydroponic cultivation. All of these technologies reduce water usage by 95% in comparison to traditional farming while producing equally nutritious, fresh, and organic greens.
The Initiatives to Support Local Food Production
One of the motives of the government’s National Food Security Strategy was to enhance self-sufficiency and promote local food production. The UAE is on a mission to implement high-end tech to develop regenerative farming techniques, digitize the supply chain, and empower local farmers to achieve its goal of sustainability and self-sufficiency.
Dubai’s ICBA, i.e., the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture is the hub for research and innovation to develop path-breaking agritech solutions. It is constantly working to bring about sustainable techniques to increase the production of local foods. Startups like Graze-it are implementing AI to produce on-site livestock feed to cut down on the costs of import.
Partnering with Other Countries
The UAE is collaborating with countries from across the globe to initiate collective progress toward attaining food security. The pact between India, Israel, the US, and UAE termed I2U2 is a cross-investment commitment, where the four countries would benefit from each other. Additionally, the India-Middle East Food Corridor also paved the way to mutual advantage where both countries are striving together to fight food insecurity and build sustainable cycles coherently. According to the best marketing research companies, the UAE’s goal to achieve food security and India’s need to enhance its food production value, complement each other bringing fruitful results from the collaboration.
Final Note
Despite having environmental disadvantages, the UAE is remarkably working towards diminishing food insecurity, increasing local produce, and ensuring sustainability. Simultaneously, the government also aims to improve agricultural revenue, provide more employment opportunities, and promote self-sufficiency.
Dubai has been one of the greatest contributors to the UAE government in achieving its food security goal. Implementing its cutting-edge technology, Dubai’s innovations like Bustanica and other valued research are paving the way to a clean future for the Emirates.