To foster innovation in food production, the UAE’s Ministry of Economy is collaborating with various entities to invest in agricultural technology and farming. As part of this initiative, the ministry has introduced a Knowledge Hub to promote information exchange.
“This platform connects research institutions, the private sector, and the industry to collaboratively develop projects,” explained Maria Hanif Al Qassim, Assistant Undersecretary of Policies and Economic Studies at the UAE Ministry of Economy. “We aim to create joint projects that will drive advancements in these specific sectors.”
Highlighting a collaboration between the private and public sectors, she mentioned projects in Sharjah that focus on wheat and dairy production. “This model will be replicated across the emirates, each with its own unique initiatives and circumstances,” she added.
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She spoke on the sidelines of the two-day UAE Future Food Forum that commenced in Dubai on Tuesday. At the event, global thought leaders shared ideas on enhancing the UAE’s food cluster.
Maria Hanif Al Qassim, Assistant Undersecretary of Policies and Economic Studies at the UAE Ministry of Economy
Several initiatives were also launched, including the Global Buyers Programme, which enhances international market access for UAE producers, and a universal product catalogue for the UAE’s food and beverage sector. The joint project by GS1 Emirates Limited and UAE Food Cluster commits to digitalizing product data to ensure traceability, prevent fraud, and manage parallel imports effectively through validated product information at entry points.
Startups and SMEs
Maria emphasized that startups and SMEs are the “backbone of the UAE economy” and this holds true for the F&B industry as well. “They are vital due to their growth potential and flexibility,” she said. “Their size allows for more innovation and expansion opportunities.”
Najla Al Midfa, Vice Chair and Managing Director of the Emirates Growth Fund, explained how the fund supports the new generation of farmers and advances in agriculture and food innovation. “Once demand is proven, the challenge is scaling up, which requires capital,” she noted.
“The Emirates Growth Fund addresses this with a Dh1 billion growth equity platform aimed at transforming promising UAE SMEs into future national champions.”
She stated that the fund targets four critical sectors: food security, manufacturing, healthcare, and advanced technology. “We invest between 10 and 50 million dirhams in UAE-based businesses generating over 10 million dirhams in revenue,” she explained. “Through our networks, we provide access to markets, partnerships, and the necessary talent to build high-performing teams.”
She highlighted the benefits of UAE’s focus on agritech. “Bustanica, the world’s largest indoor vertical farm, produces over a million kilograms of pesticide-free leafy greens annually, using 95% less water than traditional farming,” she said.
“In Sharjah, Sabah Sinabel wheat farms produce over 6,000 tons of some of the highest protein wheat strains globally each year. Pure Harvest Smart Farms, an agritech pioneer from the UAE, operates high-tech greenhouses across the country, producing over 12 million kilograms of fruits and vegetables annually.”
