Since agriculture often places a significant pressure on natural resources and the environment, the UAE is developing sustainable and integrated food security systems that employ latest technologies to innovate solutions to the challenges of securing food sources.
Saeed Al Bahari Salem Al Ameri, Director of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), said the authority is working on an ambitious plan to achieve agricultural sustainability, as well as to support the overall scientific research efforts to enhance food security mechanisms.
Last year, a Smart Home Farming Showcase called 'Bustani'- which means 'garden' in Arabic - was launched at Masdar City's Eco-Villa prototype to demonstrate emerging farming solutions. It featured innovative solutions to encourage people to cultivate and grow their own food at home to help provide sustainable solutions and manage food security.
As the UAE is striving to achieve and sustain the highest levels of national food security, there is a transformation taking place across the country's agricultural sector.
Some of the practices under sustainable agriculture include vertical farming, hydroponics, organic farming and controlled environment agriculture to grow local fruits and vegetables with minimal resources.
Abu Dhabi authorities recently said they were tapping latest technology to grow crops locally as part of the food security strategy.
In other words, the country is now encouraging and widely adopting sustainable agricultural practices that aim to protect the environment, expand Earth's natural resource base and maintain and improve soil fertility.
It also seeks to sustain farmers, resources and communities by promoting farming practices that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities.
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