"Abu Dhabi Agriculture" Signing 6 strategic cooperation agreements during World Food Week
ABU DHABI, 21st October / WAM / The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority today signed 6 cooperation agreements with an elite group of governmental, academic and community agencies, on the sidelines of the activities of the second edition of World Food Week in Abu Dhabi, which is a prestigious international platform for exchanging experiences and enhancing food security and agricultural sustainability.
These agreements come within the framework of the Authority’s efforts to expand the scope of institutional partnerships and integrate roles, thus contributing to the development of the agricultural and food sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in general, and achieving the aspirations of the wise leadership towards a sustainable and integrated food system.
The first agreement to share data was with the Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium General Establishment and aims to enhance information integration between the two parties by feeding the One Health Laboratories platform for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi with vital and laboratory data related to animal diseases and agricultural pests.
The agreement includes exchanging laboratory samples, activating efficiency measurement and quality control programs, and providing access to the authority’s food security data platform to support rapid response and decision-making.
The agreement also stipulates cooperation in laboratory analyses, developing the biobank, and implementing joint scientific research that serves the biosecurity system in the emirate.
The Authority signed two agreements with Khalifa University of Science and Technology, the first a research agreement aimed at implementing two specialized scientific studies, one on producing functional foods from palm waste, and the other on improving the nutrition of local poultry using feed additives.
The second is a memorandum of understanding that focuses on capacity building, developing specialized training programs for the Authority’s employees, and organizing scientific workshops and lectures in cooperation with academic staff at the university.
It also includes cooperation in implementing applied research, facilitating access to research and library resources, and exchanging biological samples to support the development of analyses.
The fourth agreement came to enhance cooperation with the Community Contributions Authority “Together” with the aim of activating community partnership in supporting agricultural and food sector projects, by organizing volunteer activities and designing community participation programs targeting various groups of society, including people of determination and senior citizens.
The agreement also includes launching joint media campaigns to spread awareness about the importance of community contribution in supporting food security, in addition to supporting social institutions and non-profit entities, exchanging experiences in agricultural entrepreneurship, and providing support packages for relevant community projects.
The fifth is a memorandum of understanding with the National Agricultural Center with the aim of enhancing agricultural sustainability and enabling Emirati farms to obtain the quality classification (UAE GAP), by activating good agricultural practices, adopting climate-smart solutions, and introducing modern technologies in agriculture.
Areas of cooperation include developing legislation supporting the sector, improving the supply chain, reducing production waste, and organizing national and international events to support the local product.
The memorandum also stipulates the exchange of non-confidential databases, joint promotion of initiatives, and support for applied research that enhances the quality and competitiveness of agricultural production.
Finally, the sixth memorandum of understanding came with the “International Academy Limited” and aims to enhance cooperation in the fields of research and development, training, and innovation, through exchanging experiences between the Authority and the Academy, and benefiting from the human resources and data available to both parties.
The memorandum stipulates the development of joint programs that serve customers and the public, and the organization of institutional efforts in line with the strategic plans of both parties. It also includes the application of the highest cybersecurity standards in data exchange, which reflects the commitment of both parties to digital governance and legislative compliance.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority confirmed that these agreements represent a strategic step towards strengthening the food security system and agricultural sustainability, by expanding the base of institutional partnerships and devoting the principle of integration between government, academic and community agencies, in order to achieve a tangible positive impact on society and enhance Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional center for agricultural and food innovation.
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