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UAE Initiative on Sustainable Agricultural Practices Launched

UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment during the announcement of the initiative on Monday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment during the announcement of the initiative on Monday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UAE Initiative on Sustainable Agricultural Practices Launched

UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment during the announcement of the initiative on Monday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment during the announcement of the initiative on Monday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

An initiative on sustainable agricultural practices was launched in the UAE on Monday, following the success of the inaugural edition of the Greenhouse Accelerator Program.

The initiative is a partnership between the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Food Tech Valley and PepsiCo.

As part of the program with PepsiCo, the entities will offer technical and strategic mentorship to applicants participating in the program, as well as access to local and regional knowledge networks.

“By supporting the PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition, we are not only continuing the momentum from last year and expanding innovation in agriculture but also building on the country’s wider commitment to tackling climate change with clear vision and action,” said Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

She added that with the UAE preparing to host COP28 and President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan announcing the year 2023 as the Year of Sustainability, “there will be an enormous spotlight on innovators who can develop solutions to optimize the valuable natural resources needed in agriculture.”

The minister went on to say that “from saving water and reducing electricity to rethinking processes and strategies, sustainable agriculture is the key to ensuring food security for everyone while being considerate of our shared environment.”

“Our best wishes accompany the start-ups who are dreaming big and putting their solutions on the map, where they can grow into opportunities that can sustain long-term economic and environmental prosperity.”

For his part, Project Lead for Food Tech Valley Ahmed AlShaibani said “establishing food security is a crucial part of the quest for a more sustainable future, especially in the MENA region.”

He added that “by engaging the latest technologies and inspiring start-ups who are at the forefront of innovation, we can help transform agriculture so that it can deliver sustainable local production and diversified imports that will enhance the self-sufficiency of countries and contribute to a sustainable global food supply chain.”

“We’re excited to see agriculture at the heart of this year’s PepsiCo Greenhouse Accelerator Program: MENA Sustainability Edition and we’re delighted to support this fantastic initiative that also feeds into our mission to build a smarter food system together.”

Through pep+, the company is working to source crops and ingredients in ways that restore the soil and strengthen farming communities, and the Greenhouse Accelerator Program is intended to unlock innovative and disruptive agricultural solutions in partnership with purpose-driven start-ups from the region.

Aamer Sheikh, CEO – Middle East, PepsiCo., said: “We understand the crucial role of innovation and sustainability in driving forward our pep+ strategy.”

“After seeing first-hand the positive impact felt by innovators during the first regional round of the Greenhouse Accelerator Program, we are proud to build on this momentum with a second edition – expanding the program to Egypt and playing a meaningful part in helping entrepreneurs tackle sustainability challenges.”

“With the region heavily reliant on imports, it's essential that we support the passionate change-makers working to make a significant impact through positive agricultural practices.”

“The private sector has an important role to play in addressing the major challenges facing the MENA region, such as food security, arid climate, scarce arable land, and limited water supply, and our goal is to lead by example,” he added.

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Saudi Arabia, IFAD Partner to Fight Hunger

Maize planting and harvest season in one of Saudi Arabia’s provinces (File photo courtesy of SPA)
Maize planting and harvest season in one of Saudi Arabia’s provinces (File photo courtesy of SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, IFAD Partner to Fight Hunger

Maize planting and harvest season in one of Saudi Arabia’s provinces (File photo courtesy of SPA)
Maize planting and harvest season in one of Saudi Arabia’s provinces (File photo courtesy of SPA)

Amid a widening global food gap and the mounting impacts of climate change, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has underscored the vital importance of boosting support for agricultural and food-related activities to drive sustainable development in rural areas.

 

The UN agency praised its strong and multifaceted cooperation with Saudi Arabia, highlighting key areas of focus that include food security, rural development, and strengthening resilience to environmental changes.

 

IFAD is also ramping up efforts to promote the “blue economy” as part of its broader strategy to support sustainable development, particularly in rural and coastal communities, a senior official told Asharq Al-Awsat.

 

Naoufel Telahigue, IFAD’s Regional Director for the Near East, North Africa and Europe, said the Rome-based UN agency is working to scale up sustainable use of oceans, seas, and water resources to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods, and safeguard marine ecosystems.

 

“The blue economy is an emerging development approach that recognizes the economic potential of our marine and aquatic resources—when used sustainably,” he said.

 

According to Telahigue, IFAD has implemented more than 100 projects across 35 countries over the past four decades, with total investments exceeding $3.4 billion, of which the Fund contributed $1.5 billion.

 

These projects have reached over 80 million beneficiaries, including fishers, aquaculture farmers, seafood processors, traders, as well as women, youth, Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities.

 

Currently, over 75 active IFAD-supported projects target fisheries, aquaculture, and livelihoods in coastal zones.

 

The blue economy spans a range of sectors, including sustainable fishing, aquaculture, coastal tourism, marine renewable energy, maritime transport, and waste management. Telahigue said IFAD is focused on helping rural populations reduce poverty, boost food security, improve nutrition, and build resilience to environmental shocks.

 

Since its establishment in 1978, IFAD has provided more than $25 billion in low-interest loans and grants to fund development projects in low- and middle-income countries.

 

Telahigue pointed to a set of challenges hampering IFAD’s mission, including limited funding amid rising global crises, the growing impact of climate change on livelihoods, and poor infrastructure in targeted regions. He also highlighted political instability and armed conflict as key obstacles to project implementation and sustainability.

 

“The lack of inclusivity and equal access to resources remains a major concern,” he added.

 

To address these issues, Telahigue called for strengthening partnerships, adopting innovative financing solutions, and developing flexible, community-based interventions. He stressed the importance of improving monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure long-term sustainability and maximize impact.

 

Saudi Arabia continues to provide robust and diversified support to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), with a focus on rural development, food security and climate change adaptation, a senior official at the UN agency said.

 

As a founding member of IFAD, the Kingdom has contributed more than $485 million since 1977, reflecting its long-standing commitment to poverty reduction and strengthening food systems in developing countries, said Telahigue.

 

He described the opening of IFAD’s liaison office in Riyadh in 2019 as a pivotal step toward deepening partnerships with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, facilitating knowledge exchange, and rolling out innovative initiatives.

 

Among them is the “reimbursable technical assistance” program, which supports smallholder farmers in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region with climate-smart production models for crops such as coffee and mango.

 

In 2021, IFAD signed a cooperation agreement with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center to combat hunger and malnutrition in the world’s most vulnerable countries by improving sustainable access to food.

 

Telahigue said IFAD’s goals align closely with Saudi Arabia’s flagship environmental initiatives, including the Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative, which aim to restore ecosystems and promote environmental sustainability—both on land and across marine and coastal zones.