ADAFSA marks World Food Day, promoting agricultural, food sustainability

emirates7 - The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing agricultural and food sustainability, alongside building the capacity of the plant and animal agriculture sectors, as well as food producers and traders, by promoting best practices in agriculture and food management.

Marking World Food Day, celebrated annually on October 16th, with this year's theme "Right to 'foods' for a better life and a better future," ADAFSA highlighted its numerous initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural growth and implementing modern farming technologies.

The authority encourages farmers to adopt innovative agricultural practices and technologies that help conserve water while enhancing productivity and quality, with a special focus on greenhouse agriculture. These efforts aim to position the UAE as a global leader in food security, boost local production of crops and livestock, and ensure consistent access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food for all residents.

ADAFSA is actively working on developing an integrated food security system that aligns with the National Food Security Strategy 2051, designed to establish the UAE as a leader in global food security through innovation. The authority also emphasized the importance of the nation’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and logistics, in supporting food security. Moreover, the presence of extensive storage facilities, such as those in Khalifa Industrial City (KIZAD), silos, and large-scale food production factories, strengthens the country's resilience in times of crisis.

In keeping with the World Food Day theme, ADAFSA reiterated its unwavering commitment to ensuring safe and healthy food for the community in Abu Dhabi. This is achieved through effective regulatory systems and comprehensive awareness programs in agriculture and food, based on international best practices and risk analysis, to safeguard public health and well-being.

ADAFSA also aims to enhance the culture of food safety within the community by intensifying monitoring and awareness efforts and strengthening partnerships with local and international stakeholders. Additionally, it focuses on integrating the latest technologies and innovations in food safety to guarantee that Abu Dhabi consumers have access to safe and nutritious food that meets their needs.

As of September 2024, ADAFSA conducted 55,299 inspections of food establishments, 26,168 inspections of farms and agricultural facilities, and 14,715 inspections of animal facilities. Furthermore, the emirate has imported 1,073,732 tonnes of food through its ports since the start of 2024.

Among ADAFSA's proactive initiatives is the recent launch of the "Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Data Platform," a digital tool that provides reliable data to support policymakers and researchers in developing innovative solutions, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the agricultural and food sectors in Abu Dhabi.

In partnership with ADNEC Group and the Food and Beverage Manufacturers Group, ADAFSA is also gearing up to host World Food Week from November 26th to 28th, 2024, at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi. The event is set to attract significant international participation from decision-makers and leading companies in the sector.

World Food Week will feature various exhibitions, specialized conferences, and the inaugural Global Food Security Summit, which will highlight the latest global advancements in agriculture and food production.