More than 300 agricultural innovations are set to feature in the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) to be hosted by Abu Dhabi next year.

It will run from February 16 to 18 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Supported by some of the world’s leading players in the field of sustainable agriculture, GFIA works alongside organisations such as the United Nations, World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, African Union and the Clinton Climate Initiative to ensure its outcomes continue to accelerate the development of solutions to feed nine billion people by 2050.
 


GFIA 2016 will be collocating with VIV Worldwide, that will be bringing its brand of successful livestock production events to the Middle East for the first time.

VIV MEA will join VIV Europe and VIV Asia as the third international hub in the organiser’s portfolio of major business exhibitions for the animal protein sector.


Mohamed Jalal Al Rayssi, chairman of the organising committee for GFIA and director of communication and community service at Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, said: “The hosting of these important international events in Abu Dhabi articulates the priority of the UAE to drive a global dialogue on food security and climate resilience.

“We live in a water-constrained region and we must use these forums to enhance our contribution to the development and implementation of smart solutions for increased food production.”


The events expect to host over 500 exhibitors of innovative technology, making Abu Dhabi home to the largest agricultural event in the region. 

Rowan Berculo, VIV Worldwide project manager, said: “GFIA has become the flagship event for agricultural innovation across the world and we are hugely excited to launch VIV MEA alongside such a forward-thinking and influential event.
 


“The timing is absolutely right to bring VIV to the Middle East. Growing urbanisation, rapid growth in the tourism sector and increasingly globalised diets are seeing a significant increase in the demand for livestock products in the region. These countries want to produce food and not just import it, so investments in the food production sector are increasing all the time.”
 


Mark Beaumont, project director of GFIA, said: “The launch of VIV MEA alongside GFIA will bring an exciting new dimension to the VIV brand for livestock producers. As animal numbers in the region increase, productivity will be affected by competition for land and water, and by the need to mitigate the effects of climate change. The only solution is innovation and that is the cornerstone of GFIA.
 


“GFIA is unique in that it attracts all the players – from across the full food value chain – needed to effect real change in the way we feed the world.”


"The last edition of GFIA in Abu Dhabi saw 1,437 orders made for sustainable agriculture technologies. This will lead to thousands of farmers improving productivity and food security back in their home countries,” Beaumont added. - TradeArabia News Service