Date: 25 Sep, 2024
Location: Dubai - UAE
H.E Dr. Obaid Saif Hamad Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development, participated in a panel discussion on ” Fostering a Climate-Smart Agriculture System – Forging Towards A Resilient and Sustainable Agri-Food Ecosystem” at the Food For Future Summit – GULFOOD GREEN 2024, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Dubai World Trade Centre.
During the session, Dr. Al Zaabi explained that AAAID has implemented numerous pioneering programs aimed at adopting climate-smart technologies, such as the adoption and dissemination of the Zero-tillage farming system, which has been implemented in Sudan, Tunisia, Jordan, and Morocco. The research and development programs carried out by AAAID have led its subsidiaries to adopt many modern techniques, such as comprehensive agricultural mechanization, advanced irrigation systems, and greenhouses for off-season farming. Additionally, the small farmers’ financing program implemented by AAAID relied on transferring an integrated technological package aimed at the resilience and sustainability of the agri-food system. This package included the use of improved and hybrid seeds of stress-resistant varieties.
Moreover, AAAID has implemented programs to promote the use of solar energy for irrigation water pumping and financed its subsidiaries to produce biogas to meet their energy needs. Dr. Al Zaabi emphasized that AAAID is executing various programs to transfer modern and smart agricultural technologies with the goal of increasing production and productivity, thereby contributing to enhancing Arab food security on a sustainable development basis.
He added that AAAID is keen on investing in companies that promote environmentally friendly technologies, such as vertical farming and indoor farming companies, which improve the use of irrigation water, precision agriculture services to enhance the efficiency of agricultural inputs using remote sensing, and the use of renewable energy sources such as solar energy and the production of biogas from agricultural waste for energy generation.
In conclusion, Dr. Al Zaabi affirmed that AAAID works to enhance cooperation with entrepreneurs in the sustainable ecosystem by investing in startups that provide climate-smart services. AAAID will offer its technical assistance to entrepreneurs regarding the implementation of climate-smart technologies and the sustainable ecosystem. Additionally, AAAID intends to develop a training center to facilitate knowledge exchange in agribusiness, enabling knowledge sharing between entrepreneurs and experts in the sustainable food ecosystem.
