ADAFSA Unveils Transformative Agricultural Vision at Al Dhafra Dates Festival
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority showcases ambitious initiatives to advance sustainable farming, strengthen food security and position the Emirate as a global leader in agricultural innovation.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority has taken centre stage at the fifth Al Dhafra Dates Festival and Auction, presenting a comprehensive suite of transformative initiatives designed to propel the Emirate’s agricultural sector into a new era of sustainability, productivity and technological sophistication. The festival, unfolding from 16th to 25th October in Zayed City, Al Dhafra Region, provides an elegant backdrop for ADAFSA to articulate its vision for a resilient and self-sufficient food system.
At the heart of this vision lies the Agricultural Transformation Strategy for Abu Dhabi, a meticulously crafted roadmap built upon five foundational pillars: Self-Sufficient and Productive, Resource Efficient, Resilient, Safe and Secure, Tech-Enabled, and Financially-Enabled. The strategy aims to elevate self-sufficiency in staple food commodities from the current 30 percent to an ambitious 70 percent by 2040, whilst simultaneously expanding the agricultural sector’s contribution to Abu Dhabi’s gross domestic product to AED34.6 billion.
The strategic framework encompasses thirteen comprehensive programmes spanning agricultural productivity, water and energy efficiency, soil management and the judicious reduction of food waste. Significantly, the strategy targets a reduction in irrigation water consumption by 49 percent whilst increasing the proportion of farms employing advanced agricultural technologies to 70 percent, exemplifying a sophisticated approach to balancing productivity with environmental stewardship.
The date palm sector occupies a particularly prominent position within this transformational agenda. Recognising its profound economic importance and its indispensable role in strengthening food security, ADAFSA is implementing an ambitious programme to restructure date palm farms through the gradual replacement of low-productivity, water-intensive varieties. This initiative encompasses the planting of 400,000 high-quality, high-productivity palm trees, a measure designed to enhance production efficiency, elevate date quality and fortify the economic viability of farms whilst promoting Abu Dhabi’s standing as a preeminent producer.
Beyond dates, ADAFSA is championing the recently launched Abu Dhabi Honey Programme, comprising 17 carefully considered initiatives aimed at improving honey quality, developing the Emirati bee strain, nurturing beekeeping enterprises and strengthening research, certification and export capabilities. The Authority is furthermore advancing veterinary services through the introduction of smart diagnostic and surveillance systems, thereby enhancing livestock health and biosecurity across the Emirate.
The Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award continues to serve as a cornerstone initiative, encouraging farmers, livestock breeders and beekeepers to embrace sustainable practices. Its Post-Winning Programme provides comprehensive support including professional development, intellectual property protection and marketing opportunities, enabling recipients to expand their operations and achieve greater market penetration.
Complementing these broader initiatives, the On-farm Economic Activities Initiative permits farm owners to undertake 145 approved economic activities alongside traditional agricultural and livestock production, thereby fostering economic diversification and enhancing the long-term financial sustainability of farming enterprises throughout Abu Dhabi.
Source: WAM