The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) continues to advance sustainability in the agricultural sector, covering both plant and livestock farming, through the implementation of a range of programmes and projects that focus on promoting the use of modern technology in agriculture.
ADAFSA is encouraging farm owners to adopt the latest agricultural techniques that contribute to sustainable agricultural production and improve product quality, with the goal of achieving global leadership in food security.
ADAFSA reiterated its dedication to sustainable food security in Abu Dhabi by adopting cutting-edge agricultural technologies and fostering sector partnerships with the private sector. These efforts aim to develop a thriving agricultural sector capable of meeting the growing needs of all residents in Abu Dhabi.
The Authority highlighted that food security is a top priority in its strategy to enhance Abu Dhabi's capabilities to build a sustainable food system capable of addressing future challenges such as climate change and food price fluctuations. The UAE's leadership has underlined its commitment to sustainability by designating a Year of Sustainability for the second consecutive year, encouraging institutions to expedite the implementation of sustainable initiatives and programmes.
ADAFSA has launched several projects to optimise water resource use, focusing on preserving natural resources for future generations. The authority also raises awareness among farmers about the best agricultural practices for improving irrigation network efficiency, which has contributed to reducing water consumption in the agricultural sector to 1.89 billion cubic metres, down from 2 billion cubic metres in 2019.
ADAFSA’s communal irrigation services currently provide irrigation water to more than 6,500 farms across the emirate, using collective irrigation networks and stations. The authority has also introduced non-conventional water sources, such as recycled and desalinated water, to help preserve the emirate's non-renewable groundwater reserves and boost agricultural sustainability and local GDP.
ADAFSA continues to implement strategic programmes aimed at agricultural development, such as the Modern Agricultural Technologies Programme. This programme includes several projects, such as the Advanced Agriculture Project, and post-harvest operations, which contribute directly to the sustainability of the agricultural sector. It also includes the transition towards climate-smart agricultural practices, along with a comprehensive sustainable development plan and the Palm and Dates Strategy, which are key to the sector’s development.
ADAFSA has launched the Abu Dhabi Good Agricultural Practices (AD GAP) programme to ensure the implementation of best agricultural practices in the emirate's farms. The programme grants certifications, accredited by the Global GAP organisation, to farms adhering to these standards. The adoption of good agricultural practices has resulted in improved product quality, reduced agricultural waste, and enhanced the competitiveness of local products in the market.
As of 2024, a total of 1,530 farms have received AD GAP certification. ADAFSA continues to monitor the progress of agricultural sustainability by measuring the Agricultural Sustainability Index annually, following the methodology approved by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
ADAFSA’s Food Loss and Waste Reduction Strategy, launched in 2023, marks a significant step in supporting sustainability and aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal of responsible production and consumption. The strategy includes many initiatives and programmes, foremost of which is the awareness campaign under the theme Together Blessings Last, aimed at changing behaviour regarding food production and consumption from farm to fork and implementing training programmes for workers in food agricultural establishments. It also includes awareness campaigns targeting various segments of society, urging them to rationalise consumption and reduce waste to ensure food security sustainability.
Additionally, ADAFSA offers training courses and guidance programmes aimed at educating farm owners and workers on the importance of water conservation and best agricultural practices that help preserve natural resources. In 2023, ADAFSA provided 736 training courses and guidance programmes to 18,515 participants.
The authority also launched the Agricultural Guidance app, which includes general guides on irrigation systems suitable for each crop, water needs, irrigation schedules, and detailed information on best agricultural practices for different crops to promote agricultural sustainability in Abu Dhabi.
In the field of beekeeping and honey production, ADAFSA successfully developed the ninth generation of the Emirati honeybee breed. The spring 2024 breeding season saw the production of 4,175 queens, of which 2,678 virgin queens were distributed to 64 beekeepers, and 152 fertilised queens were provided to 18 beekeepers, with a total of 2,840 queens distributed. The autumn breeding season is set to begin in October 2024, with more queens distributed to local beekeepers. Since the first generation, a total of 17,392 queens have been raised, with 13,543 distributed across all emirates.
ADAFSA is also collaborating with the UAE University on a scientific project aimed at identifying the key pests and diseases affecting honeybee colonies and developing an integrated control programme suited to local conditions to ensure the production of high-quality, residue-free honey.
In the animal wealth sector, ADAFSA provides a wide range of veterinary, curative, preventive, and advisory services in line with global best practices. The authority supports livestock breeders in Abu Dhabi by offering technical advice on animal care, feed, and nutrition. ADAFSA is also working to increase investment in the sector through the development of an integrated system designed to attract investment projects and provide technical assessments for new ventures.
ADAFSA’s smart extension system has improved service delivery to livestock breeders by automating technical reports and field visits and ensuring accurate and up-to-date information is available to specialists. The authority also provides training courses and workshops on modern animal breeding techniques, and it conducts field visits to livestock breeders to offer technical support and encourage them to use ADAFSA’s services to achieve sustainability and success in the agricultural sector.
In addition, ADAFSA conducts research into animal health and productivity, in coordination with relevant institutions, universities, and global research centres. Research findings are published in peer-reviewed international scientific journals. ADAFSA maintains a precise livestock statistical database, which includes information on livestock numbers, distribution of breeders, and animal holdings. This helps decision-makers plan effectively and formulate policies to enhance the animal wealth sector, improving the efficiency of government support programmes.
ADAFSA conducts annual immunisation campaigns across the emirate to boost herd immunity and protect against transboundary epidemic diseases. These campaigns include vaccinations against foot-and-mouth disease for sheep, goats, and cattle, as well as vaccinations against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) for sheep and goats and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) for goats.
ADAFSA also works to ensure biosecurity sustainability by continuously monitoring the occurrence and spread of zoonotic and epidemic diseases affecting both animals and humans. The authority develops preparedness and response plans to combat and control such diseases, responding to any outbreak reports, and implementing measures to control and prevent the spread of infections. ADAFSA’s approach includes ongoing updates to plans for managing emergency situations related to infectious diseases.
ADAFSA places great importance on building veterinary expertise by offering annual training for veterinary students from UAE University and veterinary science students from the Higher Colleges of Technology.
Regarding food safety, ADAFSA has enhanced inspection and control procedures to ensure food safety standards are met. The Authority has launched self-monitoring and smart inspection systems, as well as the Jahaziya platform for risk and crisis management and early warning. It also uses drones for farm inspections and monitoring. Additionally, ADAFSA introduced the Zadna Rating programme, allowing the public to assess the level of food safety in Abu Dhabi’s food establishments.
The Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award, initiated by ADAFSA, is another significant step toward promoting sustainability. The award recognises the efforts of farmers, livestock breeders, family producers, and commercial farms, encouraging them to adopt best practices, innovate, and improve the quality of agricultural production in both the plant and animal sectors, thus supporting comprehensive sustainable development.
