More than 200 agriculture, poultry, fishing, and horticulture businesses will gather in Dubai next month at Agra Middle East, the region’s largest agribusiness trade event, in a joint effort to help combat food security issues.

The event will be looking to play a major part in turning around the key challenges the region faces regarding its food production output, as the economist intelligence unit predicts that the value of food imports into the GCC alone will hit $53.1 billion by 2020, more than double the value in 2010 ($25.8 billion).

Organisations from more than 30 countries will be out in force at Agra Middle East, taking place from March 26 to 28 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, a statement from the organisers said.

The three-day event is the only show in the region covering agribusiness, poultry & livestock, fishing & aquaculture,  floriculture & horticulture and agricultural machinery & supplies, providing a comprehensive all-in-one platform for exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations to an audience of key regional decision makers.

Now in its seventh edition, Agra Middle East continues to grow in tandem with regional appetites for agriculture products and services. The event’s organisers, Informa Exhibitions said that exhibitor space has increased by 20 per cent year-on-year after a hugely successful event in 2012.

Richard Pavitt, exhibition director of Agra Middle East, said: “The Middle East is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world regarding food security as unsuitable climates, limited water resources, and uncultivable soil conditions make food production particularly challenging.”

“Approximately 90 per cent of the food requirements are met through imports, and with the GCC population expected to reach 50 million by 2020, there is an increased urgency within the region to look at more sustainable and self sufficient means of securing its food resources.”

“To that end, Agra Middle East provides an ideal platform for companies to share expertise, experience and ideas to realise goals of food security and sustainable development. The event is growing every year, and the 2013 edition is set to be the largest so far,” Pavitt said.

Agra Middle East will feature three dedicated industry conferences examining the paramount issues of regional food security and water resources – the Agribusiness Outlook Forum, the Poultry Outlook Forum, and the inaugural Middle East Horticultural Summit.

The 2013 edition will also mark the launch of the first AgraME Awards, recognising individuals, departments, teams and organisations that have contributed to the growth and development of the agricultural industry with focus on best practices and innovative approach.  

Held under the patronage of Rashid Ahmad Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, Agra Middle East is sponsored by platinum sponsor Al Dahra Agriculture and supported by the Ministry of Environment and Water, Dubai Municipality and Dubai Flower Centre.

The event returns with a host of seminars where leading speakers from the agribusiness sector will discuss issues and challenges facing the industry across the globe with special emphasis on the Middle East region, the statement said.

Agra Middle East is co-located with Vet Middle East, the leading event for the burgeoning veterinary industry in the region, presenting an opportunity for international suppliers and local distributors to showcase latest technologies, equipments and medicines in the veterinary sector. – TradeArabia News Service