New Zealand is accelerating efforts to bring its AgTech solutions to the Gulf region as the UAE aims to become the most food-secure country by 2051.
The island nation is working closely with Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) on research projects to enhance water and food security across the emirates and a senior official said Expo 2020 Dubai will be an important platform to showcase how proven AgTech innovations from New Zealand can solve global food challenges.
New Zealand is recognised globally for its leadership in sustainable farming, production and nutrition. New Zealand’s food sector feeds around 40 million global consumers each year, eight times its population.
“New Zealand AgTech solutions are born out of a deep responsibility we have as guardians of the natural environment to leave it in a better place for future generations. This indigenous environmental ethos is called kaitiakitanga which translates into ‘care for people and place’ – it drives our agricultural innovation,” said Alpha Kennedy, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s AgTech specialist and private sector advisor.
This focus on creating sustainable food systems has seen AgTech become one of New Zealand’s fastest growing export sectors and a priority area of development under the government’s industry policy.
New Zealand’s Industry Transformation Plan aims to export its agriculture and scientific research to better facilitate global opportunities.
The UAE is already firmly in its sights, following the success of several research studies for EAD initiated by New Zealand G2G, a partnership between the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).
Matthew Hawkins, New Zealand’s Ambassador to the UAE, said: “The roadmap set by the UAE National Food Security Strategy emphasises the importance of fast-tracking the adoption of agricultural technology to increase domestic food production.
“And the recent launch of Dubai’s Food Tech Valley by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, further underscores the importance of global collaboration and investments in AgTech innovation.”
He added: “New Zealand is a natural partner for the UAE in the food and beverage and AgTech sectors, offering both a trusted source of premium-quality food and technical expertise to help the UAE manage its water and food security challenges… we see Expo 2020 Dubai as a golden opportunity to realise some of those partnerships.”
EAD’s decision to work with New Zealand – the first country in the world to legislate for the sustainable use of land and marine resources – was prompted by a need to create a regulatory tool to inform the allocation of water to farms across the emirates.
The joint research studies showed when irrigating date palm, vegetable and forestry crops, up to 50 percent water savings are possible.
EAD scientists and New Zealand Plant & Food Research are also trying to find ways of increasing crop productivity while conserving precious groundwater and ensuring it does not get saltier.
The four-year research project has been investigating the feasibility of using reject brine from small-scale desalination plants on farms and aqua-brine from fish farms, instead of groundwater, to grow salt-tolerant crops and fodders. Innovative instrumentation is now in place on 36 different plots in the UAE and will be used to monitor progress until 2024.
Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, secretary general of EAD said: “With the help of New Zealand’s extensive agriculture experience and research, the UAE is on a clear path to transition to a controlled agriculture environment and we are confident this country can become the most food-secure nation by 2051.”
The UAE is New Zealand’s 10th largest trading partner with two-way trade worth nearly $4 billion. With AgTech expected to play a vital role in the Covid-19 recovery, New Zealand said it is working with high-potential exporters to support their expansion to the UAE – specifically in precision agriculture, remote sensors, irrigation systems, soil regeneration and fertility, farm management, software training and robotic harvesting.
“Expo 2020 Dubai provides a unique opportunity to pursue new market expansion and showcase high-value New Zealand AgTech products and services to new customers. Through our Expo Business Leverage Programme we are working closely with New Zealand AgTech companies to match their expertise to real market needs in the UAE and the wider region,” added Hawkins.
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