Abu Dhabi is set to welcome hundreds of farmers and food growers from around the world to introduce them to the growing number of new sustainable agriculture solutions which will directly impact their business.

The Hosted Farmers Programme, supported by the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), will run at the upcoming Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA), held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, with support of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

The GFIA runs on March 20 and 21 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

“This new programme in Abu Dhabi underlines the commitment of the UAE to working with farmers and food growers to increase food production in a sustainable, responsible way,” said Thamer Al Qasemi, director of the communication and community service division at ADFCA.  

“We are encouraging farmers from the UAE to attend GFIA, this is an unrivalled opportunity to meet counterparts from all over the world.  Providing access to the best innovative minds in the world will give our hosted farmers the ability to understand what solutions would work best in their environments and we hope a number of these will be adopted when they return to their land.”

Al Qasemi pointed to ADFCA’s role in the development of the agriculture sector and in ensuring food security and supply at all times.  He noted that the authority had helped boost the status of Abu Dhabi on the world’s food map, reinforcing it as a reliable platform for international institutions concerned with food and agriculture industry.

“The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture is considered the largest forum of its kind in the world to review the latest innovations in sustainable agriculture to boost profits from environmentally responsible agricultural practices.

“Unlike other major agricultural events, GFIA is committed to meeting the needs of both large agribusinesses and smallholders by presenting the best solutions available to achieve higher yields without damaging the natural environment and our resources,” Al Qasemi added.

Farmers from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Egypt, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe have already registered to take advantage of the programme, where they will be matched with UAE farmers as well as international buyers and relevant exhibitors for a series of one to one meetings throughout GFIA.

With return airfares to Abu Dhabi, accommodation and complimentary access-all-areas passes to the conference sessions and VIP opening ceremony, the programme is unrivalled for farmers’ benefits and opportunities, said the statement.

Added Al Qasemi: “GFIA is the world’s largest showcase of sustainable agriculture innovations for increased profits and environmentally responsible farming practices.  Unlike other major agriculture events, GFIA is uniquely committed to meeting the needs of both large and smallholder farmers by presenting the best available and emerging solutions with the potential to deliver higher yields without damaging our natural resources and climate.”

The GFIA conference will feature speakers from around the world tackling five key challenges: climate-resilient crops; growing the aquaculture industry; future-proofing animal health; smallholder farmer development; and sustainable animal production.

On the opening day, Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment in the UAE, will deliver the welcome address.

Among the panel of speakers will be Mohamed Bin Obaid-Al Mazrooei, president, The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development; Khadim Al Darei, vice chairman and managing director, Al Dahra Agriculture Company; Memli Krasniqi, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Kosovo; Dawood AlYahyai, director of aquaculture development, Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Oman; Edward Hamod, general manager, Emirates Food Industries; and Alya Al Mazroui, programe manager at the National Centre of Meteorology & Seismology, who will be giving an update on the progress to date of the UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science.

GFIA, now in its fourth edition, will also feature an exhibition hosting some 300 companies, and an Innovations Programme, showcasing a series of 15-minute talks from start-up companies who think they have a next-generation solution that could shape the future of farming around the world. – TradeArabia News Service