Agritech has a key role in ensuring the future food security of the UAE and its aim to be top in global food security by 2051, top officials told a webinar this week.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, group chairman and CEO of DP World, told the webinar, Agritech – Enhancing Food Security in the UAE, that agritech will enable the country to boost food production.

“As we utilise the power of modern technologies to boost agriculture in the nation, we are certain that we will meet our goal of increasing food production by 30-40 per cent in 10 years.”

Increased investments and the UAE’s robust digital infrastructure will drive progress in this, he added.

“Agritech is transforming the UAE with a growing landscape of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA’s) in the form of indoor greenhouses and vertical farms that typically use 95 percent less water than traditional farms,” Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, UAE Minister of State for Food and Water Security said.

The country boasts an Emirates Food Security Council and has a National Food Security Strategy 2051, under which it aims to be top of the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) by 2051.

UAE currently ranked 42 on this list, while Kuwait was the highest ranked Middle Eastern country in 33rd position. Yemen was the lowest ranking of all the countries surveyed.

(Writing by Imogen Lillywhite; editing by Brinda Darasha)

(imogen.lillywhite@refinitiv.com)

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