In a critical step towards fortifying the UAE’s food security, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, led a high-level meeting of the Emirates Council for Food Security.
Held at the Middle East’s largest Automated Packhouse, operated by Silal in Al Ain, the meeting centered on the UAE’s strategic vision for food security, the progress of the ‘Plant the Emirates’ programme, and global trends in agriculture and food trade.
Dr. Al Dahak highlighted the impact of the recently launched ‘Plant the Emirates’ National Programme and the National Agricultural Centre, initiated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. She commended Silal’s role in enhancing local food production and stated that these programs would support local farmers and foster sustainable agriculture through incentive schemes and modernized farming practices.
“The UAE is embarking on a new era of agricultural and food development,”
Dr. Al Dahak said, emphasizing the need for unified efforts among stakeholders.
The council addressed the private sector’s role in expanding community-driven farming initiatives, such as promoting home farming skills, while exploring advanced data-driven approaches to monitor and respond to food security risks. Discussions also included enhancing food trade, reducing waste, and optimizing safety standards under the National Food Security Strategy 2051, which aims to make the UAE a global leader in food security by 2051.
Silal, a leading agricultural partner, demonstrated its support for national farms with advanced facilities and packaging capabilities, producing over 180,000 packages daily and supporting over 900 local farms. The UAE is set to reinforce its global food security role at the upcoming Global Food Security Summit in Abu Dhabi this November.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
