Senior professionals and stakeholders from across the Arab world came together to discuss food security and supporting farmers at a forum in Abu Dhabi today (March 2).

The ‘Gulf Forum to Enhance Food Security and Support Small and Medium Scale Farmers’ took place at the Firming Bab Al Bahr Hotel, under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Dr Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahed, Minister of Environment and Water.

The Arab Authority for Agricultural Investment and Development-organised event was held in partnership with IFAD and in co-operation with the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) and the Food Security Center - Abu Dhabi (FSCAD).

During the forum, the participating group of decision-makers and pioneers representing the region’s agricultural and food sectors discussed the latest developments in food security and small- and medium-sized agricultural investments in the Gulf and the rest of the Middle East.

The forum included four main sessions and a series of panel discussions, including ‘Agriculture and Food Situation in the GCC,’ that addressed agricultural and food production issues, solutions to challenges, and ways to close the food gap through agricultural research investments; and ‘Agricultural Investments across the Gulf Region,’ which talked about the investments of the private sectors from the UAE and Saudi Arabia across the region.

The session also highlighted opportunities and challenges in terms of global agricultural investment projects, with a particular focus on IFAD’s experience in establishing partnerships among public and private sectors and producers.

The third session titled ‘The Difficulties Facing Agriculture in the Gulf Region,’ discussed the latest equipment and modern methods for irrigation and soil treatment as well as the development of appropriate agricultural products suitable for the Gulf’s climate, while also emphasising the importance of applying nanotechnology in the food and agricultural sectors; and the last session on ‘Investment Opportunities in the Agricultural and Food Field’ reviewed IFAD’s experience and expertise in promoting food security in the Near East, North Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia regions via the development of the agricultural production chain.

Dr Kanayo Nwanze, president of IFAD, said: “The forum is essential for enhancing our collaboration and effectiveness providing a platform for us to share ideas, learn from each other and explore new avenues for rural development.

“Working for 40 years, the International Fund of Agricultural Development is the only institution in existence that combines an international financing institution’s tough head for business with a United Nations agency's soft heart for people. IFAD acts as a trusted broker mobilizing further investment from donors, the private sector and other partners, that support sustainable and inclusive development.”

The forum concluded with a series of bilateral business meetings among stakeholders who reviewed various agricultural and food investment opportunities.

The attendees also discussed ways to take advantage of the agricultural sector’s current potentials and future prospects based on a unified vision of attaining regional food security. - TradeArabia News Service