Shaking up global trade, the pandemic has served as a wake-up call for the United Arab Emirates, which imports more than 90% of its food products. The country is now seeking to strengthen local food production and support agro-technical companies to increase the volumes produced.

 

The Minister of Climate Change and the Environment is also encouraging the country's young people to pursue careers in agriculture and to set up high-tech farms. Environmentally controlled agriculture, hydroponic systems, aquaponic systems combining agriculture and aquaculture, all show encouraging results.

 

Some systems allow the use of up to 90% less water compared to the traditional farming method, while providing abundant and quality production. Based on the success of these models, the UAE government is implementing a similar approach at another 400 farms.

 

Most of the UAE's farms are now adopting agricultural technologies to increase domestic food production. This should allow the country to strengthen its food self-sufficiency and reduce its dependence on imports.