emirates7 - The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) hosted an introductory meeting with leading private sector agriculture and food companies to discuss the "Plant the Emirates" national programme. The meeting aimed to explore collaboration opportunities to strengthen the private sector's role in advancing the programme's initiatives and promoting sustainable food security in the UAE.
Following the launch of the "Plant the Emirates" programme and the 'National Agricultural Centre' by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the meeting sought to support the UAE’s agricultural development goals, enhance food security, foster new private sector partnerships, and expand green spaces across the nation.
Held at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai, the meeting was attended by key officials, including Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of MoCCAE; and Amal Abdulrahim, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at MoCCAE. Representatives from leading UAE agricultural and food companies were also present.
The meeting highlighted the role of the 'National Agricultural Centre' in supporting local farmers and boosting domestic crop production. It also explored new avenues for collaboration between the public and private sectors to advance the programme’s initiatives and address key challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Dr. Al Dahak emphasized the importance of partnerships between MoCCAE and the private sector, noting that such collaborations have been central to several successful initiatives in agriculture and sustainable food security. She reiterated the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its agricultural sector, following the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who believed agriculture was crucial for civilisation. This vision continues under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a focus on sustainable food security.
Dr. Al Dahak highlighted the significance of the "Plant the Emirates" initiative in promoting awareness about the role of agriculture in the UAE’s sustainable growth. She also emphasized that the programme encourages the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices across the country, from farms to households.
Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi presented key challenges within the agricultural sector, such as the shortage of productive farms, lack of specialized workforce, and weak marketing efforts for local produce. He also stressed the need to adopt climate-smart agricultural systems. The National Agricultural Centre aims to raise farm productivity by 20%, increase organic farms by 25%, and reduce agricultural food waste by 50%.
The meeting also discussed initiatives such as the 'Plant the Emirates Festival,' the 'Plant the Emirates' campaign, and the 'Plant the Emirates Global Forum.' Upcoming events like the National Agricultural Exhibition and the 'AgroTourism Experience' initiative, aimed at educating the public about local agriculture, were also highlighted.
Attendees expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the programme's goals in the next phase, with a focus on investment, research, marketing, and increasing the productivity and competitiveness of local agricultural products.
Following the launch of the "Plant the Emirates" programme and the 'National Agricultural Centre' by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the meeting sought to support the UAE’s agricultural development goals, enhance food security, foster new private sector partnerships, and expand green spaces across the nation.
Held at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers in Dubai, the meeting was attended by key officials, including Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of MoCCAE; and Amal Abdulrahim, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at MoCCAE. Representatives from leading UAE agricultural and food companies were also present.
The meeting highlighted the role of the 'National Agricultural Centre' in supporting local farmers and boosting domestic crop production. It also explored new avenues for collaboration between the public and private sectors to advance the programme’s initiatives and address key challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Dr. Al Dahak emphasized the importance of partnerships between MoCCAE and the private sector, noting that such collaborations have been central to several successful initiatives in agriculture and sustainable food security. She reiterated the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its agricultural sector, following the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who believed agriculture was crucial for civilisation. This vision continues under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with a focus on sustainable food security.
Dr. Al Dahak highlighted the significance of the "Plant the Emirates" initiative in promoting awareness about the role of agriculture in the UAE’s sustainable growth. She also emphasized that the programme encourages the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices across the country, from farms to households.
Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi presented key challenges within the agricultural sector, such as the shortage of productive farms, lack of specialized workforce, and weak marketing efforts for local produce. He also stressed the need to adopt climate-smart agricultural systems. The National Agricultural Centre aims to raise farm productivity by 20%, increase organic farms by 25%, and reduce agricultural food waste by 50%.
The meeting also discussed initiatives such as the 'Plant the Emirates Festival,' the 'Plant the Emirates' campaign, and the 'Plant the Emirates Global Forum.' Upcoming events like the National Agricultural Exhibition and the 'AgroTourism Experience' initiative, aimed at educating the public about local agriculture, were also highlighted.
Attendees expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the programme's goals in the next phase, with a focus on investment, research, marketing, and increasing the productivity and competitiveness of local agricultural products.