Farming the Desert: How the UAE Plans to Feed Itself by 2051
April 25, 2025
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Feeding a growing nation in the heart of an arid landscape – that's the unique challenge the UAE faces head-on 
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[8]. With around 85-90% of its food currently imported, the country understands the vulnerabilities this reliance creates, especially when global supply chains face disruptions [18][6][4][1][16][10][8]. But the UAE isn't just acknowledging the challenge; it's tackling it with ambitious vision. Launched in November 2018, the National Food Security Strategy 2051 is the UAE's comprehensive answer, a roadmap designed to secure a sustainable food future for everyone calling the Emirates home [18]
[19][4][6][10]. The ultimate goal? To become number one on the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) by 2051, ensuring consistent access to safe, sufficient, and nutritious food for all residents, even during emergencies [17]
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[15]. Let's explore the key initiatives driving this transformation, from cutting-edge tech and boosting local farms to smart trade and global teamwork [3][17].
Boosting Local Food Production Through Innovation
Reducing reliance on imports means growing more food locally, and that's a central pillar of the UAE's strategy [6][3][1][8]. But how do you farm effectively in a desert? Technology is the key. The UAE is heavily investing in modern agricultural techniques like Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), hydroponics (growing plants without soil), vertical farming (stacking crops indoors), and aquaculture (fish farming) [3][17]
[7][1][8]. These methods aren't just futuristic; they're practical, aiming to significantly improve yields – potentially by 30% – while using resources like water more efficiently [18][3][17][1][8]. To guide these efforts, the strategy identifies a "National Food Basket" of 18 essential food items based on consumption, local production potential, and nutritional value [3]. Specific targets include increasing the production of these strategic items by 15% and aiming for 50% of food needs to be met by domestic production in the long run [18][4][6]. This tech-driven approach isn't just about quantity; it's about building a sustainable, resilient agricultural sector that uses less water and land, aligning with broader environmental goals [3][17][1][8].
Diversifying Imports & Strengthening Trade
While boosting local production is crucial, the reality is that imports will continue to play a role in the UAE's food supply [6][4]. So, the strategy also focuses smartly on imports. Instead of relying too heavily on a few sources, the plan is to diversify, aiming to have three to five alternative suppliers for each major food category [3]. The goal is to eventually source 67% of necessary imports from these diversified international partners [18]. This involves building strong international relationships and making it easier for global agri-businesses to trade through the UAE [3][1][8][18]. Leveraging the UAE's, particularly Dubai's, strength as a global logistics hub is implicitly part of making this happen, ensuring a steady and resilient flow of food imports even if disruptions occur elsewhere [6][18].
Driving Progress with Agri-Innovation & R&D
Innovation isn't just a buzzword in the UAE's food security plan; it's the engine driving the ambition to become a world-leading hub [17][11]. The government is making significant investments in agricultural Research and Development (R&D), establishing dedicated research centers, upgrading labs, and fostering collaboration between government bodies, private companies, and academic institutions [17]. What kind of research? Think advanced genetics, understanding climate change impacts on local agriculture, boosting aquaculture for key fish species, recycling agricultural waste, exploring alternative foods, and developing entirely new farming methods suited to the region [17][18]. A National R&D Food Security Agenda guides these efforts [17][19]. Major initiatives are already underway to spark this innovation, like the global FoodTech Challenge, which invites innovators worldwide to propose solutions for food security challenges [17][12]. Then there's the impressive Food Tech Valley in Dubai, designed as a dedicated hub and testbed for pioneering agricultural technologies, complete with an "AGccelerator" program to support startups [17][22][11].
The Power of Partnership: Engaging the Private Sector
The UAE's strategy clearly recognizes that government efforts alone aren't enough; the private sector is an essential partner in achieving food security [17][6]. The plan actively encourages businesses to get involved across the entire food value chain, from farm to fork [17][6]. This means creating an environment where private companies feel confident investing in agricultural projects, new technologies, and infrastructure, often through public-private partnerships (PPPs) [18]
[2][11][6]. Initiatives like the AIM for Climate program specifically encourage private investment in climate-smart agriculture [6][17]. Companies are also crucial players in improving supply chains, managing logistics, and tackling the challenge of food waste [6][17]. Think about it – major local companies are already stepping up, complementing government initiatives [6]. Programs like the FoodTech Challenge offer incentives for startups, and the National Dialogue for Food Security ensures ongoing conversation between government and industry leaders 
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[9]. The goal is a collaborative ecosystem where public and private sectors innovate together, even exploring ideas like affordable credit for food businesses [11][17][6].
Global Collaboration for Shared Security
Food security isn't just a local issue; it's a global one. That's why the UAE places a strong emphasis on international cooperation within its strategy [1][8][6][3]. The country works closely with major international organizations. A key partner is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), providing technical expertise for the strategy's implementation and collaborating on everything from R&D to fisheries management [19]
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[24]. The UAE even hosts the FAO's subregional office and is establishing a new FAO Centre of Excellence [6][26]. Partnerships also exist with the World Food Programme (WFP) on innovation, the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) for dryland farming research, and the UAE-based International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) focusing on farming in salty conditions 
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[27]. Beyond organizations, the UAE actively shares knowledge through events like the MENA AgriFood Innovation Days and by hosting major global dialogues like COP28 [14][23][22][25]
[20]. Bilateral agreements, like the AIM for Climate initiative co-launched with the US, further strengthen these global ties, fostering investment and technological exchange [6][21][11].
Sustainability: Reducing Waste & Enhancing Nutrition
The UAE's food strategy isn't just about producing more food; it's about creating better and more sustainable food systems [3][17][1][8]. A major focus is tackling food loss and waste. You know how much food gets wasted? The UAE is aiming to cut this down significantly, with a target of 15% reduction outlined in the strategy and a national initiative called 'ne'ma' aiming to potentially halve food waste by 2030 [18][6][13]. This involves everyone, from farmers to retailers to consumers [6][13]. Alongside waste reduction, the strategy prioritizes nutrition and safety. Goals include reducing the consumption of unhealthy food elements by 15% and significantly cutting down food safety incidents by 35% [3][8][1][18]. These efforts are tightly linked to the UAE's broader sustainability commitments, including the ambitious UAE Net Zero by 2050 plan [17][20]. It’s all connected – less waste and better nutrition mean a healthier population and a healthier planet.
The Roadmap: Milestones & Measuring Success
So, how does the UAE track progress on this ambitious journey? The strategy sets out clear milestones. In the shorter term, by around 2030, key goals include ranking within the top 10 countries on the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) as part of the 'We the UAE 2031' vision [18][12][15]. Other near-term targets involve significantly increasing government procurement of locally farmed produce – aiming for 100% by 2030 – and achieving the 'ne'ma' initiative's goal of halving food waste [9][13]. Looking further ahead, the ultimate vision for 2051 remains clear: securing the #1 spot on the GFSI and establishing the UAE as a global leader in innovation-driven food security [3][17][11][6][18][22][10][15]. The GFSI itself is the main benchmark used to measure success, tracking affordability, availability, quality, and safety [17]. Encouragingly, the UAE has already shown significant improvement, jumping 12 places in the rankings between 2021 and 2023 [18][12]. Overseeing all this progress is the Emirates Food Security Council, ensuring all the different pieces of the strategy work together effectively [17][4][11][6].
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