UAE bolsters agricultural production, boosts food independence
Deep Knowledge Analytics
As the UAE imports more than 85% of its food – a process which was severely disrupted by global lockdowns – the UAE government has taken decisive action to adopt more self- sustaining practices to ensure food security for its citizens and residents.
Outlined in a comprehensive report, the implementation of innovative food production practices has proven to be a fruitful exercise for the UAE leaders, who plan to harness the innovation and export it to the world.
DKA conducted deep analysis into 100+ companies, 30+ investors, 10 government agencies and hubs and eight subsectors to produce an overview of the UAE’s novel approach to agriculture.
The problems facing the sector include a burgeoning world population, which is expected to reach almost 10 billion by 2050, boosting agricultural demand by 50% compared to levels experienced in 2013. These are topped by the UAE’s harsh climate, making food security a constant concern.
Furthermore, the agricultural industry both contributes to, and is affected by, climate change. For example, agriculture currently accounts for 70% of water use globally, and the world’s food systems are responsible for more than one-third of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
Additionally, one-third of food produced globally is either lost or wasted, generating around 1.3 billion tons per year, worth approximately $1 trillion. In developing countries, 40% of losses occur at post-harvest and processing levels.
As food security has always been important to the nation, the UAE government launched its National Food Security Strategy in 2018, with the goal of increasing food production by 30- 40% in 10 years. The plan is for 50% of the food consumed in the Emirates to be locally produced by 2051, compared to 20% in 2022.
Commenting on the report findings,𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐥 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐝𝐢, 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐣𝐚𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 & 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤, said: “The UAE government has set ambitious targets to boost food security in the coming years. The goal of taking locally produced food to 50% by 2051 is certainly achievable. At SRTI Park, we are proud to have a new breed of startups that are pioneering alternative agricultural technologies, including hydroponics and vertical farming. Investments in AgriTech startups are estimated to have skyrocketed to $51.7 billion from venture capitalists in 2021, an increase of more than 85% over 2020. We are proud to jointly conduct this comprehensive report with DKG, as it reflects the UAE’s bold initiatives and targets to achieve food security against so many odds.”
𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫
𝐃𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐊𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐲, 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩, said: “Some of the innovations that are boosting the UAE’s food security include the use of solar power technologies which enable the use of salt water, rather than fresh water, as the primary input for food production. Other initiatives include the reduction of food waste and greenhouse gas emissions, and the implementation of vertical farming – a sector in which the UAE has major potential. We are delighted to continue our collaboration with Sharjah Research Technology & Innovation Park to contribute to the advancement of some of the most critical sectors of the UAE’s economy.”
Hydroponics, alternative crops, greening the desert and alternative proteins also feature on the list of innovations to boost food production in the UAE, backed by technology which incorporates robotics, AI and blockchain.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐀𝐄’𝐬 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐞
The largest facets of the UAE’s AgriTech sector can be quantified as follows: 36% (indoor farming), 15.9% (precision agriculture), and 15% (Agri inputs). Around 65% of the nation’s AgriTech companies are micro-sized enterprises with fewer than 50 employees. Agriculture in the UAE is projected to register a CAGR of 3.5% between 2022 and 2027, based on the nation’s commitment to grow the industry exponentially in the near future.
While the UAE’s food production may only represent a miniscule percentage of global agricultural production, the implications of this forward-thinking strategy extend beyond the national borders.
Previously, the transference of technologies from temperate regions to those closer to the equator have not been successful due to the drastic differences in agri-climatic conditions.
There are currently 66 UAE companies addressing the sustainability issue, which was enhanced by investment of more than half a billion dollars into UAE-based companies in 2021, or around 1.1% of the global capital invested in AgriTech. 66% of these are UAE- based investors, followed by those from the US, the UK and Switzerland, as well as other GCC countries.
The global AgriTech market is projected to reach $22.6 billion by 2025, creating a significant opportunity for investors and companies looking to further the advances of new technologies. Factors driving market growth include the adoption of advanced technologies and growing demand for food traceability and security. Some of the key players in the UAE’s AgriTech startup sector include Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Madar Farms, Farmin, The Platform, Palmear and others.
For AgriTech investors, the UAE is a particularly attractive option thanks to its favourable climate and infrastructure, and strong government support of initiatives to enhance food security.
𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝: 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐀𝐄
Abu Dhabi operates agricultural technology company Silal, which is upgrading 80 farms with new smart monitoring and irrigation technology. Silal will invest $54 million into the programme in the next two years to boost sustainable agriculture in line with the national AgriTech strategy.
The National Food Security Strategy 2051 drives further technological improvements to achieve strategic goals, including a 13% reduction of food loss and waste, a 35% reduction in food safety incidents, 100% successful emergency drills, a 15% increase in production of select strategic food items, and a 30% yield improvement from new technology-enabled production.
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𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐣𝐚𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 & 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤
Established in 2016 by royal decree of H.H. Sheikh Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, Sharjah Research, Technology, and Innovation Park (SRTIP) aims to develop and manage an innovation ecosystem that promotes Research and Development and supports enterprise activities and the triple helix collaboration of industry, government, and academia.
𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬
-Deep Knowledge Analytics is a leading provider of advanced analytics on DeepTech and frontier-technology industries. The company utilizes sophisticated multidimensional frameworks and algorithmic methods that combine hundreds of specially designed and specifically weighted metrics and parameters to deliver insightful market intelligence, pragmatic forecasting, and tangible industry benchmarking.
Deep Knowledge Analytics is part of Deep Knowledge Group, a consortium of commercial and nonprofit organizations active on many fronts in the realm of DeepTech and Frontier Technologies (AI, Longevity, FinTech, GovTech, InvestTech), ranging from scientific research to investment, entrepreneurship, analytics, media, philanthropy, and more.
Baha Hamadi
Vice President, Communications – Gulf
+971 50 941 5848
bh@dkv.global
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