Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, in strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority was attended by more than 8,000 visitors, 310 exhibitors from 122 countries. The forum which recognizes the best sustainable agriculture innovations that will shape the future of global food security was attended by His Excellency Hussein Bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education, Eng. Awaidah Morshed Al Marr, Executive Council Member of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Energy Department, and Dr Nasser La Khreibani Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Justice, Safety and Security Committee of the Executive Office; HE Abdullah Aqeedah Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the Zakat Fund; and HE Rashid Abdul Karim Al Balushi, Acting Undersecretary of the Department of Economic Development. The winners of the 2019 Global Innovations in Agriculture were also announced at the event recognizing the sustainable agricultural innovations that will drive the future of global food security.

The Best innovation by a start up was awarded to Responsive Drip Irrigation, LLC, the world’s first and only plant-responsive irrigation system that saves 30-50% water when compared to similar systems currently available where the system works to measure the actual needs of plants and provide them with the appropriate quantities of water, without the need to waste any quantities exceeding the need of plants. The Best innovation in crop protection was awarded to Natura Crop Care for its innovative fruit fly trap which will enhance the fruit fly catch to about 98% in a sustainable way; Best innovation in date palm production awarded to Robocrop for its intelligent robotic system for in-farm labor-intensive operations crafted for Date Palm Trees specifically and its different components enable the robot to autonomously navigate the farm, locate the subject tree, and carry-out farming operations; Best innovation in indoor farming awarded sponsored by Agritecture Consulting to Crop One Holdings, Inc. the world's largest vertical farming company who are currently building the largest vertical farm in the world in Dubai, in partnership with Emirates Flight Catering; Best innovation in animal production awarded to Faromatics for its ChickenBoy initiative, the world’s first ceiling suspended robot that monitors chicken welfare and helps farmers increase farm productivity; and Best innovation in aquaculture awarded to Proteon Pharmaceuticals SA for its technology platform to innovate health products from the microbiome, for industrial use which help proactively prevent disease caused by pathogenic bacteria in livestock farming that impact food safety.

Thamer Rashed Al Qasemi, Chairman of GFIA Organising Committee at the awards ceremony supported by Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority said, “Over the past two-days we have witnessed over 50 innovations from across the world who have participated in GFIA in Abu Dhabi that will drive the future of food security in the UAE and across MENA and shape the future of farming and food production around the world. Over 100 countries have participated in GFIA and we have heard from over 129 speakers who have come together to share knowledge, scientific research to empower the agricultural sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the region and to promote the contribution of modern technology to the benefit of farmers and local producers, thereby increasing production efficiency while reducing inputs and reducing consumption of natural resources to achieve the desired development in the agricultural sector. We congratulate all our winners but also everyone who’s joined us to drive agriculture innovations for a sustainable food secure future.”

Al Qasimi praised the participation of Abu Dhabi Investment Office and stressed the importance of participating in introducing visitors and exhibitors from around the world to Abu Dhabi as an investment destination attracting investments in various sectors, including the agricultural innovation sector, and the importance of informing them of the cash and non-monetary incentives package launched that are available for local and international agricultural technology companies that will contribute to the construction of a distinct system of agricultural technology and stimulate the agricultural sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The Arab Beekeeping Association, as part of the second edition of Arab Beekeeping International Conference taking place at ApiArab EXPO, also announced the Engr. Sheikh Salim bin Sultan Al Qasimi Awards for the Development of the Bee Industry across the Arab World. Awards were presented across three categories: Invention and innovation award was presented to Shanghai Bainiang Apiculture Co.,Ltd for their blanket drum that melts the crust to become liquid honey; Best practice in beekeeping award was presented to UAE Beekeeper Mohamed Alnouaimi from Al Ain for his natural alternative to the use of pesticides to warm hives to promote bees to clean and remove the varroa mite.

The best natural honey contest awards supported by Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority and sponsored by Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council were presented across three categories including: Best liquid honey award was presented to Fahad Abdullah Al-Ghazi Al-Shammari from Saudi Arabia; Best honey wax awards was presented to Gang Yan Ling from China; and Best granulated honey award was presented to  Ibrahim Ali Mohammed Khalban from Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of ANHB honoring the strategic and innovative efforts by beekeepers and pollinators in the region said, “More than ever before, we need to recognize the importance of bees to nature and to our lives, and we need to turn that into action to ensure they don't just survive but thrive. Here in the UAE, the Government has been and continues to support farmers and beekeepers by creating innovative and creative business environments. ApiArab provides a platform for our local, regional and global communities to collectively promote sustainable, bee-centric beekeeping practices & aim to create a new business model approach, locally within each of our communities and together globally.”

During the two-day conference and exhibition, companies from over 122 countries exhibited their products and projects promoting sustainable food production to more than 8,000 visitors. GFIA is co-located with the 2nd ApiArab Expo, 2nd Arab Beekeeping International Conference, and for the first time in the UAE, the 15th Asian Apicultural Association (AAA) Conference.  GFIA’s strategic partnership and sponsorship is provided by Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority; associate sponsorship is provided by UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs; endorsed by Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and is supported by UAE Ministry of Food Security.

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