emirates7 - In celebration of International Awareness Day on Food Loss and Waste, observed every year on 29th September, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) introduced a range of initiatives aimed at reducing food loss and waste while advancing agricultural sustainability across the Emirate. These efforts are part of ADAFSA's ongoing "Together, Blessings Last" campaign.
ADAFSA has been actively collaborating with ne’ma, the UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, to tackle the issue in a coordinated manner. The two entities formalized their partnership in 2022 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aligning their goals with the National Food Security Strategy 2051.
During Ramadan 2024, ADAFSA and ne’ma conducted a study in collaboration with the hospitality sector, focusing on food consumption patterns unique to the holy month. The study revealed that food waste increased by 9% during Ramadan due to overproduction and overconsumption.
ADAFSA also highlighted its "Innovative Poultry Feeding Solution," which recycles food waste from restaurants and grocery stores to poultry feed. This initiative helps lower feed costs and supports food sustainability.
As part of its circular economy efforts, ADAFSA has teamed up with retailers like Spinneys and Circa Biotech to transform food waste into animal feed and organic fertilizers. A six-month pilot project involving all Spinneys stores in Abu Dhabi led to a 54% reduction in food waste reaching landfills, with organic waste being repurposed into feed, fertilizers, and biofuels using black soldier fly larvae.
In the livestock sector, ADAFSA has worked with charitable organizations like the Bin Ham Charitable Foundation and the UAE Red Crescent to ensure the safe disposal of diseased livestock while maximizing the use of healthy meat. This initiative improves biosecurity and safeguards human and animal health. Additionally, ADAFSA has supported farmers by providing advice on animal nutrition to reduce feed waste and enhance productivity. Workshops and lectures have also been held to educate farmers on best practices for livestock management and waste reduction.
To raise awareness, ADAFSA regularly organizes workshops for farmers and consumers, offering technical support to promote sustainable farming practices. Farmers are taught methods to preserve crop quality after harvest, such as cooling produce quickly and storing it at optimal temperatures to extend shelf life and reduce waste.
Farmers are also advised to grow crops that are best suited to the UAE’s climate and agricultural conditions, ensuring efficient use of resources. Recommendations include the adoption of agricultural technologies to enhance production and the use of renewable energy sources like solar power and recycled water.
In its efforts to improve agricultural practices, ADAFSA provides training programs for agricultural workers to increase awareness of sustainability, pesticide application, and proper harvesting techniques. Recently, ADAFSA issued 36 guides for post-harvest fruit preservation, covering 41 different crops, recognizing the critical role of post-harvest management in food security.
ADAFSA stressed that reducing food waste is crucial to addressing global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. International Awareness Day on Food Loss and Waste serves as a reminder for individuals and organizations to collaborate in creating a sustainable future. The authority encourages responsible consumption habits within households to minimize food waste.
Through these initiatives, ADAFSA is contributing to global efforts in combating food loss and waste, positioning the UAE as a leader in agricultural sustainability and food security. Their innovative projects, training efforts, and promotion of best practices align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to a sustainable future for future generations.
ADAFSA has been actively collaborating with ne’ma, the UAE’s National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, to tackle the issue in a coordinated manner. The two entities formalized their partnership in 2022 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), aligning their goals with the National Food Security Strategy 2051.
During Ramadan 2024, ADAFSA and ne’ma conducted a study in collaboration with the hospitality sector, focusing on food consumption patterns unique to the holy month. The study revealed that food waste increased by 9% during Ramadan due to overproduction and overconsumption.
ADAFSA also highlighted its "Innovative Poultry Feeding Solution," which recycles food waste from restaurants and grocery stores to poultry feed. This initiative helps lower feed costs and supports food sustainability.
As part of its circular economy efforts, ADAFSA has teamed up with retailers like Spinneys and Circa Biotech to transform food waste into animal feed and organic fertilizers. A six-month pilot project involving all Spinneys stores in Abu Dhabi led to a 54% reduction in food waste reaching landfills, with organic waste being repurposed into feed, fertilizers, and biofuels using black soldier fly larvae.
In the livestock sector, ADAFSA has worked with charitable organizations like the Bin Ham Charitable Foundation and the UAE Red Crescent to ensure the safe disposal of diseased livestock while maximizing the use of healthy meat. This initiative improves biosecurity and safeguards human and animal health. Additionally, ADAFSA has supported farmers by providing advice on animal nutrition to reduce feed waste and enhance productivity. Workshops and lectures have also been held to educate farmers on best practices for livestock management and waste reduction.
To raise awareness, ADAFSA regularly organizes workshops for farmers and consumers, offering technical support to promote sustainable farming practices. Farmers are taught methods to preserve crop quality after harvest, such as cooling produce quickly and storing it at optimal temperatures to extend shelf life and reduce waste.
Farmers are also advised to grow crops that are best suited to the UAE’s climate and agricultural conditions, ensuring efficient use of resources. Recommendations include the adoption of agricultural technologies to enhance production and the use of renewable energy sources like solar power and recycled water.
In its efforts to improve agricultural practices, ADAFSA provides training programs for agricultural workers to increase awareness of sustainability, pesticide application, and proper harvesting techniques. Recently, ADAFSA issued 36 guides for post-harvest fruit preservation, covering 41 different crops, recognizing the critical role of post-harvest management in food security.
ADAFSA stressed that reducing food waste is crucial to addressing global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. International Awareness Day on Food Loss and Waste serves as a reminder for individuals and organizations to collaborate in creating a sustainable future. The authority encourages responsible consumption habits within households to minimize food waste.
Through these initiatives, ADAFSA is contributing to global efforts in combating food loss and waste, positioning the UAE as a leader in agricultural sustainability and food security. Their innovative projects, training efforts, and promotion of best practices align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to a sustainable future for future generations.