"Abu Dhabi Agriculture" It highlights the role of productive families in enhancing food security

ABU DHABI, 16TH October / WAM / On the occasion of World Food Day, which falls on October 16th of each year, and this year is held under the slogan “Hand in Hand for Food and a Better Future”, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority organized a community event at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi with the participation of a number of productive families who presented a variety of locally made products.

This initiative comes within the framework of the Authority’s efforts to enhance community cohesion, support local production, and establish a culture of social responsibility within the government work environment.

This event aims to shed light on the role of productive families in enhancing food security, encourage productive families to continue innovation in the field of food, and provide display platforms that allow them to reach a wider audience, which contributes to their economic and social empowerment, and enhances their contribution to the local food security system.

It also represents an opportunity to enhance communication between the Authority’s employees and the local community, and exchange experiences and knowledge about sustainable food practices.

The Authority stressed that supporting productive families constitutes a fundamental pillar in achieving sustainable community development, as these families contribute to enriching food diversity, preserving local heritage, and providing healthy and safe household products.

By providing training, guidance, and presentation opportunities, the Authority works to empower this vital segment of society and enhance its ability to compete in the local market.

In the context of its efforts to enhance food security, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority affirmed its firm commitment to developing the agricultural sector, both plant and animal, in a way that keeps pace with global challenges and enhances the UAE’s position as a global center for innovation in this vital field.

The Authority explained that it is working to build an integrated food security system in line with the National Food Security Strategy 2051, by adopting the latest agricultural technologies and motivating farmers to apply good agricultural practices, which contributes to raising the quality of local production and rationalizing the consumption of natural resources, especially water.

In the context of its efforts to enhance agricultural sustainability, the Authority indicated that large numbers of farms are now following the “Abu Dhabi GAP” program, the approved local model for the “Global GAP” program, which aims to consolidate the concepts of sustainable agriculture, enhance the quality and safety of agricultural products, raise production efficiency, and reduce food waste.

During the year 2024, the Authority also organized about 13 guidance campaigns to educate farmers about the best irrigation practices, focusing on maintaining irrigation networks, using modern systems suitable for each crop, irrigating at the optimal times, and relying on precise water rations, in addition to encouraging the use of modern technologies such as hydroponics, soilless agriculture, vertical farming, and smart systems for irrigation and fertilization that rely on actual meteorological data and sensors. Soil.

The Authority confirmed that greenhouse agriculture witnessed remarkable growth during the year 2024, compared to the previous year, which contributed to raising the quality of local production and reducing water consumption, which reflects the success of the incentive policies adopted by the Authority to encourage farmers to use modern agricultural methods.

She pointed out that the advanced infrastructure in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, including strategic storage warehouses in Khalifa Industrial City (KIZAD), silos and food production factories, represent major pillars of the food security system and provide an effective protection umbrella during crises and emergencies, stressing that this integrated system enhances the state’s ability to ensure the availability of safe and nutritious food for all residents in various circumstances.

In a related context, the Authority stressed that applying good agricultural practices on Abu Dhabi farms represents a pivotal goal, as agricultural extension engineers educate and train farm owners and workers on the best practices that guarantee the quality of the local product, extend its shelf life along the supply chain, reduce waste, and ensure the safety of food circulating in the markets.

Scientific facts confirm that adopting good post-harvest treatments contributes to keeping the product fresh for a longer period, which enhances the competitiveness of the local product in the market and reduces food waste.

The Authority stressed that adopting innovative solutions, preserving natural resources, and activating community partnership represents a strategic approach to ensuring the sustainability and quality of food, achieving sustainable development goals, and serving future generations.

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