Dubai Food Tech Valley ‘a major step’ towards sustainable food security

Dubai Food Tech Valley will triple food production in the emirate.

The project launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai in 2021, seeks to create a modern city that sets a global standard for food security and sustainability.

Dubai’s focus on sustainable food security

The Food Tech Valley project plays a critical role in the UAE’s commitment to adopting sustainable technologies and solutions that combat climate change and protect the environment and natural resources from waste.

By developing advanced technologies for food production and addressing challenges such as water scarcity and arable land shortage, the project supports the entire food value chain. Its success would mark a significant milestone in the UAE’s ongoing efforts to enhance its food security and ensure a sustainable future.

Recently, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD and CEO of DEWA met with Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, and Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, CEO of Wasl Asset Management Group to discuss collaboration to support the Food Tech Valley project.

During the meeting, Al Tayer expressed his confidence that the Food Tech Valley project would be a major step towards achieving sustainable food security and promoting innovation in the food industry while supporting the diversified, knowledge-based economy of Dubai and the UAE. DEWA supports the UAE and world countries’ efforts to address hunger within the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.

“The UAE’s wise leadership places significant importance on enhancing food security on sustainable foundations and finding solutions to national food security challenges,” said Almheiri.

She added, “This includes increasing agricultural and food production to reduce import dependence. The Food Tech Valley project plays a vital role in this area.

“It focuses on developing modern technologies for food production, overcoming water scarcity and arable land shortage. The project also supports the entire food value chain and serves as a leading global model for enhancing food security by applying the highest sustainability standards, which in turn supports the UAE’s efforts to adopt technologies and solutions that contribute to combating climate change and preserving the environment and natural resources from waste.”

First phase of the Food Tech Valley project

In its first phase, the Food Tech Valley project aims to provide elements for urban planning and comprehensive urban development. It also provides various activities for food management based on innovation. The project includes vertical farms, a logistics centre, an R&D centre, and a shopping area.

The first phase of the project, launched in 2021 in partnership between the Ministry of Food and Water Security and Wasl Properties, explored optimal planning for future smart and food-independent cities. Equipped with cutting-edge technologies, the project aims to be a leading global hub for innovation-based food security.

Spotlight on the UAE’s role in driving the climate agenda

With the UAE hosting the COP28 conference in November, the Food Tech Valley and other pioneering food projects will be in the global spotlight. Almheiri hoped this would be a starting point for other similar projects worldwide. The Food Tech Valley project aims to attract creative and young minds to shape food’s future. The city’s vision for this project is to become the trademark and benchmark for food management systems sustainability regionally and globally. Through the collaboration of key players in the UAE’s food industry, the Food Tech Valley project hopes to make significant contributions to enhancing food security, promoting innovation, and achieving sustainable development.

Source: Edge