To speed the creation and uptake of ground-breaking innovations in agriculture, food safety, food security, and biosecurity, Hub71, Abu Dhabi's global digital ecosystem, and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) have signed a partnership agreement.
The alliance will bring together AgriTech industry players to work together to support and enable entrepreneurs in the field of agricultural technology to develop in the industry.
Dr. Mariam Harib AlSuwaidi, ADAFSA's deputy director-general for operational affairs, and Ahmad Ali Alwan, Hub7's deputy CEO, signed the contract.
In accordance with the agreement, ADAFSA and Hub71 will connect companies with startups providing technology-based solutions in order to address the issues the agritech sector faces. The agreement is in line with the UAE's goals for a more sustainable future that safeguards its resources and land, which were declared as the Year of Sustainability in 2023.
Through a mentorship scheme run by industry experts, startups will also get the chance to interact with specialists. In order to foster collaborations and assist new innovations, the two organisations will also work together to establish a robust network of AgriTech stakeholders in business, academia, and government.
The UAE is ranked 23rd overall in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) for 2022, up 12 spots from 2021. It is also ranked 31st in terms of food affordability, 7th in terms of food availability, 16th in terms of food safety and quality, and 53rd in terms of sustainability and adaptation sub-indicators. The UAE also leads the Middle East and North Africa. The National Food Security Strategy seeks, by 2051, to obtain the top spot in the world food security index by creating a comprehensive national system that enables sustainable food production.