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Agritech – Enhancing Food Security in the UAE
How artificial intelligence and vertical farming are transforming sustainable food security in the UAE

In 2017, the UAE announced the creation of the region’s first Ministry for Food Security. The establishment of the ministry highlighted the priority given by the UAE to ensure sustainable food and water supply to meet the needs of its growing population and expanding economy, and also the need to ensure efficient and effective logistics, storage and distribution capability.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 highlighted the importance of food security for public confidence and wellbeing, and the UAE, thanks to its long established focus on food and water security, has been one of the leading nations in its response to the crisis.

Central to the UAE’s successes in 2020 have been its willingness to innovate and adopt new processes quickly to overcome challenges.

Agritech

Long seen as one of the least innovative segments of the entire global economy, the rise in investment in agricultural technology (agritech) in recent years has seen a surge in interest in new methods of farming and ensuring sustainable food security.

The implementation of digital data technology in traditional farms is increasing crop yields and removing waste from both the production and logistics side of the industry.

Meanwhile, innovations in energy generation and irrigation technology are opening up a huge new industry in vertical farming and urban farming. And the UAE is emerging as a major investor in vertical farming.