Bill Gates, world-renowned innovator and co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) in Abu Dhabi next month.

Gates will call on participants to help create another agricultural revolution to support a world where most of the poorest are farmers. He will address the audience through a holographic projection speech.

The showcase of game-changing agricultural innovations and technology will be held at Abu Dhabi’s National Exhibitions Company (Adnec) from February 3 to 5.

“We are delighted to have the support of Bill Gates and his team at the Gates Foundation. The work that the Gates Foundation undertakes in support of agricultural innovation is of critical importance in reducing poverty and improving food security for millions of families across Africa and Asia. Those attending GFIA will undoubtedly be inspired by Mr Gates’ dynamism, innovation and entrepreneurship,” said Mark Beaumont, GFIA project director.

The event will offer cross pollination of ideas since people from different fields will join together at the event, said Beaumont, addressing a press conference to promote the event in Bahrain.

Global food demand is expected to increase 70 per cent from present in 2050 and the world has to sit up and explore new ideas to grow food in an eviornmentally sustainable way. The event will discuss innovative ideas, which will be of particular interest to the region, he said.

The solutions-driven event is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nayhan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Minister of Presidential Affairs.

Confirmed to speak is Dr Mark Post, Professor of Vascular Physiology at Holland’s Maastricht University, better known as the scientist behind the world’s first lab-grown burger.

GFIA will also host two areas dedicated to entrepreneurs - an Innovation Zone that will showcase cutting-edge technologies such as algae-based fuel production, aquaculture and desalination, and an Incubator Zone in which the next generation of innovators and start-ups from around the world will be looking to strike up relationships with investors and business partners to help get their products to market, said Beaumont.

Amongst the many exhibited innovations will be an underground irrigation system, nano-tech micronutrients and sensor technology, he added. - TradeArabia News Service