Abu Dhabi Registration Authority: Agricultural licenses grew by 29% in 9 months

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ABU DHABI, December 10, 2018 (WAM) – The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), the arm of the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi to develop and regulate the business sector, announced that it has achieved remarkable growth in agricultural, fisheries and livestock licenses during the first nine months of the year 2025 (from January to September) compared to the same period last year (2024), which confirms the effectiveness of the initiatives launched by the emirate during the last period in line with the strategic plans to achieve food security and support smart agriculture, as well as the attractiveness of the sector to local and international investors.

Data from the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority revealed an increase in the number of new licenses in the field of agriculture, fisheries and livestock, reaching 152 licenses in the period from January 1 to September 30, 2025, with a growth rate of 29% compared to 118 licenses during the same period last year.

The number of effective licenses in the field of agriculture, fisheries and livestock increased by 13.5% to reach 1,425 licenses by the end of September 2025, compared to 1,255 licenses last year.

Agricultural, fisheries and livestock licenses issued in the Al Ain region constituted the largest percentage of licenses in this field, amounting to 61.8% of the total new agricultural licenses in the emirate during the first nine months of this year, and 63% of the total effective licenses in the agriculture, fisheries and livestock sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which reflects the major role played by the Al Ain region and the competitive advantages it enjoys in the agricultural sector in order to enhance the region’s role in driving economic growth and diversification.

The Al Ain region witnessed the registration of 94 new economic licenses in the agricultural sector during the period from January to September of this year, bringing the total number of effective licenses in this field in the region to 896 licenses that contribute to supporting food security in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE, providing jobs, and promoting economic growth.

The agricultural sector represents one of the priority areas that the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi focuses on within the integrated development plans for the Al Ain region by strengthening partnerships between the public and private sectors, expanding opportunities, and developing talent in line with the vision of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi to build a smart, diversified, comprehensive, and sustainable economy.

It is expected that the agricultural sector will continue to grow during the coming period with an increase in the economic activities permitted to be practiced from 71 to 145 economic activities in accordance with Resolution No. (5) of 2025, which stipulates amending some provisions of Resolution No. (3) of 2023 regarding the practice of economic activities on farms, by adding 74 economic activities to the list of activities permitted to be practiced on farms, within several categories, as the resolution added 41 plant production activities, and 9 activities supporting plant production activities, There are 8 supporting food activities, 12 supporting industrial activities, two activities within the supporting activities category, and two activities within the recreational activities category.

His Excellency Mohammed Munif Al Mansouri, Director General of the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), said that the Emirate of Abu Dhabi focuses on providing an integrated system to support businesses in agriculture, fisheries and livestock, given its vital role in food security, which constitutes a top priority for various economies.

He added that the continued achievement of high rates of growth of economic licenses in the sector over the past few years confirms the effectiveness of the initiatives launched by a number of entities in the emirate, such as the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, and the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), with the aim of supporting investors and entrepreneurs in order to benefit from the opportunities available in the field of agriculture, fisheries and livestock.

The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA) continues its initiatives to facilitate starting and doing business in the agricultural sector, by providing support programs for entrepreneurs and investors.

It provides a farm license, which enables UAE citizens who own private farms to practice 145 economic activities in order to strengthen the agricultural sector and open various opportunities in the field, including agricultural industries, and recreational and heritage activities.

Likewise, the Abu Dhabi Free Trade and Trader licenses include a number of consulting activities in the field of agricultural, fisheries and livestock activities.

His Excellency Al Mansouri added that work is being done to develop the agricultural sector under the direct supervision of the Committee for Economic Activities on Farms, which was formed under the guidance of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, and whose membership includes the Department of Economic Development – Abu Dhabi, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.

He stressed the keenness to support entrepreneurs and investors in agricultural, fisheries and livestock activities, and to stimulate the shift towards smart and sustainable agriculture through innovative initiatives that provide a supportive system for investors in line with the strategic plans to support sustainable development and build the economy of the future. Last year, Abu Dhabi launched the Food and Water Abundance Development Complex (AGWA) to improve the production and supply of food and water by taking advantage of the latest innovations.

During the past year (2024), new licenses for agricultural, fisheries and livestock activities in Abu Dhabi increased by 103%, and the value of agricultural, forestry and fishery activities in the emirate increased by 38% within five years. From 6.8 billion dirhams in 2019 to 9.5 billion in 2024, exports of agricultural and food goods also witnessed a growth of 37.5% in the same period. From 6.3 billion dirhams in 2019 to 8.7 billion dirhams in 2024.