National Agriculture Centre charts path forward with strategic partnerships at Growtech Middle East

The NAC signs five agreements to strengthen ties across the agricultural sector, reinforcing its commitment to supporting farmers and advancing sustainable farming practices across the UAE.

At Growtech Middle East 2026, held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 26 to 28 October, the National Agriculture Centre demonstrated its resolve to reshape the nation’s agricultural landscape through strategic partnership and innovation. The Centre, serving as Strategic Government Partner for the exhibition, signed five memoranda of understanding with key entities across the sector, each agreement designed to address the evolving needs of local farming communities.

The partnerships, forged with the Abu Dhabi Agricultural Club, Mahsool, ESG Farms Operations, SGS, Tathmeer Agricultural Technologies and the National Agricultural Group, span sustainable development, local innovation, certification systems and supply chain advancement. They reflect a philosophy that places farmers at the heart of agricultural progress. Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, Director General of NAC, articulated this principle with clarity: the Centre engages continuously with farmers and stakeholders to understand their challenges, identify opportunities and develop practical solutions aligned with national agricultural ambitions.

The exhibition itself served as a living laboratory of sorts. The Centre welcomed local farmers and arranged guided tours through the latest global agricultural technologies, encouraging direct participation in tailoring solutions to their specific needs. This approach embodies the Centre’s ‘Farmers First’ principle, which guides its operations and partnerships across the sector.

Al Shamsi outlined an ambitious strategic vision during his keynote address and panel discussion titled ‘The Future of Food Resilience: From Global Dependence to Regional Strength’. The Centre’s strategy centres on strengthening partnerships, advancing applied research and leveraging artificial intelligence to conserve natural resources, particularly water. By 2030, the Centre aims to see climate smart solutions adopted by 30 per cent of farms, enhancing their sustainability and competitiveness whilst contributing to national food security.

The memoranda of understanding address critical dimensions of agricultural development: sustainable practices and social impact, local innovation, agricultural and organic certification, marketing of local produce and supply chain efficiency. They also encompass the development of farm monitoring systems and digital agricultural solutions, reflecting the sector’s evolution toward technology enabled farming.

As reported in earlier engagement efforts, the National Agriculture Centre has been meeting extensively with farmers across the emirates to present programmes including UAE G.A.P. and market support initiatives. This latest round of partnerships builds upon such foundations, creating a more integrated ecosystem of support and innovation.

The Centre’s participation at Growtech Middle East, a region long-running exhibition with a 17-year legacy that brings together farmers, producers, government entities and technology providers, underscores the momentum gathering across agricultural development initiatives in the UAE. The platform enabled stakeholders across the agricultural value chain to connect, exchange expertise and explore industry developments, with particular focus on agriculture, aquaculture, livestock, poultry and sustainable farming practices.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

These strategic partnerships signal deepened commitment to strengthening Abu Dhabi’s agricultural foundation at a moment when food security and sustainable farming have become increasingly central to national strategy. By aligning government support, private sector innovation and farmer expertise through structured agreements, the Centre creates the conditions for practical advancement across the sector. The focus on climate smart solutions and resource efficiency addresses both immediate productivity challenges and longer-term environmental sustainability.

For Abu Dhabi’s farming communities, the partnerships translate into tailored services, improved market access, enhanced certification systems and digital tools designed to strengthen their economic viability. The Centre’s ‘Farmers First’ approach acknowledges that agricultural progress depends fundamentally on understanding and supporting those who work the land, making these agreements not merely institutional arrangements but commitments to tangible improvement in farming conditions and outcomes across the emirate.

Source: WAM