5 main sessions discuss the challenges of food security during the UAE agricultural exhibition

Al -Ain, May 29/ WAM/ The activities of the UAE Agricultural Exhibition and Agricultural Exhibition witnessed 5 major dialogue sessions yesterday, which started with the session of “International Organizations to build a more sustainable system in the field of food security”, presented by His Excellency Dr. Muhammad Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector The environment, Dr. Tarifa Ajif Al -Zaabi, Director of the International Center for Salt Agriculture – Ikeba, and Dr. Walid Abu Al -Hassan Kabir, Water Resources Management Experts in the Gulf Cooperation Council and Yemen GCC countries.

The speakers discussed the pivotal role of international organizations in supporting the food security system and enhancing sustainable agriculture practices.

During her intervention, Dr. Tarifa Al -Zaabi stressed the importance of relying on scientific research and accurate data in support of the adoption of smart crops climably, noting that the solutions based on science are an essential pillar in enhancing the flexibility of agricultural systems in the face of climate change, while Dr. Walid Abu Al -Hassan touched on the position of “FAO” as a research and scientific reference aimed at enabling Arab countries to build flexible systems, and setting strategies Sustainable and support for various initiatives.

His Excellency Marwan Abdullah Al -Zaabi stressed the importance of strengthening strategic partnerships and developing the capabilities of future farmers, stressing the vital role of research centers in creating sustainable solutions and transferring them to farmers, and Al -Zaabi explained that the current government policies support the research sector, and that cooperation between the government and private sectors provides great potential to develop common solutions, pointing to the state’s efforts to reduce bureaucracy, which is reflected positively on The speed of implementing initiatives and achieving concrete results that contribute to the advancement of the agricultural sector.

The second session reviewed “Policies and Legislation – Aqab or Possible?”, Presented by Eng. Yazan Al -Qadmani from the Emirates Biological Farm, and participated in it by Oliver Christophe from Rivarm, and Hassan Halawi from Elite Grand Company, in an analysis of the current legislative framework to support agricultural sustainability in the UAE, and focused on the importance of the role of legislation and policies as a major factor and tool to support the private sector towards enhancing local production And support farmers. Christophe highlighted the remarkable progress made by the UAE in supporting agricultural innovation, especially in smart agriculture, biotechnology and desert agriculture practices, and pointed to the increasing global interest towards adopting the UAE model for desert agriculture, which is believed to be more important during the ten years to the next fifteen, while Halawi focused on the importance of reducing the risks of the agricultural sector as a maximum priority.

He said that by offering initiatives such as diversifying risks and crop insurance, the agricultural sector can protect farmers and open the door for private stock investors and industrial investors to advance local agriculture.

During the session “The Success of Akfa Foundation”, which witnessed the attendance of His Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al -Dahhak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, His Excellency Dr. Eng. Khalifa Musabah Al -Tunaiji from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock in Sharjah reviewed the experience of the “Aktaf” Foundation as a qualitative initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, with the aim of providing healthy and safe food.

Al -Tunaii explained that the name of the institution does not literally refer to the achievement of food contentment, but rather carries a deeper dimension represented in the purity of food and its return to its roots and traditional origins, based on the saying: “You are not eating.”

The “Food Division in the Age of Transformation from the Farm to the Consumer Raf” presented by the engineer Ahlam Abdul Mohsen Al -Mannai from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, and spoke by Jihan Isa’i Al -Taher from the Union Cooperative Society, Stewart Davidge from the Lulu Global Group, Tom Harvey, Director General of Foreign Affairs in Spinens, spoke to the role of retailers in enhancing food security by supporting local products and developing chains Supply and meet aspirations towards quality and sustainability, with challenges and opportunities in the sector.

The speakers discussed strengthening partnerships between retailers and local food security producers, and dealt with the main challenges to maintain the stability of seasonal quantities and types of products and logistical complications, stressed the importance of building direct relationships with local farmers, identifying specific quality and size requirements to meet customer expectations, highlighting the importance of shortening supply chains to reduce costs and improve quality.

The session “Sustainable Animal Production to Promote Efficiency and Competitiveness to achieve food security” witnessed discussions on ways to improve the efficiency of animal production to enhance sustainable food security, sustainable practices and veterinary services that enhance livestock and increase competitiveness in the market, where Eng. Saif Khalaf Al -Ashkhry from the Abu Dhabi Authority for Agriculture and Food Safety, and participated in the dialogue, Mr. Saif Mohamed Barziq from Al Ain farms participated in the dialogue. Animal, and Mr. Mazen Abdel Karim Al -Rifai from the National Food Industries.

The session reviewed the most prominent sustainable practices and modern technologies that would support the sustainability of the animal sector, enhance its competitiveness, and its contribution as a basic pillar in the state’s food security system.

Yesterday’s agenda included the organization of specialized workshops for farmers and community, with the participation of a group of leaders and leading companies in the agricultural sector, such as “smart agriculture in cooperation with the Friends of the Environment Association”, which focused on the importance of the shift towards sustainable agricultural practices, a workshop on a partnership between Sallal and “Cobard” company to produce the tin bees to vaccinate collection, and a workshop entitled “The Basics of Bee Education”, And another entitled “Investment Opportunities in the Agricultural Sector”.

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