Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has signed a cooperation agreement with Hub71, Abu Dhabi’s global tech ecosystem, in order to accelerate the development and adoption of ground-breaking technologies in agriculture, food safety, food security, and biosecurity.
The partnership will bring together stakeholders operating in the AgriTech industry to work in a collaborative environment to empower and support startups in the field of agricultural technology to innovate in the sector.
Under the agreement, ADAFSA and Hub71 will work to address the challenges faced by the AgriTech sector by connecting businesses with startups offering technology-based solutions.
With the UAE announcing 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, the agreement aligns with the country’s ambitions toward a more sustainable future that protects its land and resources.
Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri Director General – ADAFSA
“We are delighted to be working with Hub71 to attract international AgriTech companies to operate out of Abu Dhabi and promote innovative agricultural solutions to support food security and our ambition to achieve first place in the Food Security Index by 2051. Hub71 is one of the key initiatives of “Ghadan 21”, Abu Dhabi’s accelerator program that was established to stimulate the emirate’s development as a diverse center of innovation. The partnership will consolidate the Emirate’s position as a global destination for agricultural technologies in desert environments and innovations to address the challenges of soil, water, and climate change. Moreover, international businesses and innovative thinkers also have the chance to profit from the programs and incentives provided by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.”
Mr. Ahmad Ali Alwan, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Hub7, said that, “The agreement with ADAFSA will enable Hub71 to unlock opportunities for AgriTech startups to build ground-breaking technologies that can revolutionize the agriculture sector. As Abu Dhabi solidifies its commitment to sustainability, AgriTech startups have a vital role to play in delivering solutions that protect food supply chains against environmental challenges, reducing carbon emissions and driving sustainable practices in the process.”
Hub71 will source and select leading AgriTech startups from around the world and provide them with access to the ecosystem’s company-building program, as well as access to ADAFSA’s state-of-the-art research laboratories and ADAFSA-funded infrastructure across Abu Dhabi, facilitating their contribution to advancing biosecurity systems and improving food quality and safety.
Hub71 and ADAFSA will bridge government and AgriTech sectors in the pursuit of building a larger shared ecosystem for sustainable innovation from the Emirate while bringing stakeholders together in a collaborative environment to engage and transact.
Through the partnership, startups will gain access to the wider Abu Dhabi ecosystem and gain the opportunity to work closely with global tech companies, government bodies, and investors to develop advanced AgriTech innovations, as per the statement.
