At the Second Emirates Agricultural Conference and Exhibition 2026, underway from April 22 to 26 at the ADNEC Centre in Al Ain, Khalifa University of Science and Technology is making waves with its latest AI-driven agricultural innovations. These cutting-edge technologies, developed in close collaboration with SILAL, the UAE's leading fresh produce company, address critical challenges in crop health, pollination, and yield estimation. As the UAE pushes forward with its National Food Security Strategy 2051 to reduce import dependency—which currently stands at around 85% for food—and boost local production amid water scarcity and arid conditions, Khalifa University's contributions stand out as pivotal for sustainable farming in the region.

The university's showcase highlights four standout solutions: TouchRIPE, Plant AI, PollenMATIC, and AerialYield. These tools not only promise to enhance productivity but also align perfectly with the conference's focus on data, artificial intelligence, food industries, and family farming, featuring over 50 expert speakers and 40 panel discussions.

TouchRIPE: Non-Destructive Fruit Ripeness Assessment

TouchRIPE represents a breakthrough in harvest readiness evaluation. This wearable device, shaped like a thumb-mounted sensor, integrates embedded artificial intelligence to measure fruit ripeness and firmness directly on the tree in mere seconds. Without damaging the produce, it provides farmers with precise data, reducing waste and optimizing picking times. The technology has secured a published US patent, underscoring its global potential. Designed for UAE's harsh climate, where traditional methods fall short due to extreme heat and limited water, TouchRIPE empowers growers to make data-informed decisions, potentially increasing yields by up to 30% while minimizing post-harvest losses.

Professor Ebrahim Al Hajri, President of Khalifa University, emphasized the innovation's relevance: “These solutions were developed in the UAE, for the UAE, reflecting our commitment to homegrown technology that bolsters national food security.”

Plant AI: Precision Disease Detection for Greenhouses

Plant AI takes greenhouse management to the next level with its 98.5% accuracy in detecting diseases across 10 common plant types. Powered by vision-language models trained on real farm data and a multi-agent assistance system, it offers real-time monitoring via an intuitive dashboard. Farmers can scan leaves with a smartphone, receive instant diagnoses, and get tailored treatment recommendations, slashing chemical use and boosting crop health.

In the UAE, where agriculture consumes about two-thirds of available water yet contributes less than 20% to food supply, such precision tools are game-changers. By enabling early intervention, Plant AI helps conserve resources and supports controlled-environment agriculture, vital for desert farming.

PollenMATIC and AerialYield: Pollination and Yield Mastery

PollenMATIC, a joint startup venture with SILAL, is an affordable handheld pollinator using vibration-based smart actuation. Tailored for high-value crops like tomatoes, strawberries, blueberries, and cucumbers, it ensures consistent pollination where natural pollinators struggle in enclosed or hot environments.

Complementing it is AerialYield, a drone-based system that scans vast areas for automated yield estimation. AI analyzes ripeness from aerial imagery, integrating data into smart greenhouse dashboards for holistic crop oversight. Together, these innovations could cut cultivation losses by up to 75%, adding billions in value to UAE agriculture.

Photo by Sandor Fehervari on Unsplash

• Precision pollination reduces dependency on bees, resilient to UAE's 45°C summers.
• Drone tech covers large areas efficiently, ideal for expansive date palm and vegetable farms.
• Integrated dashboards provide actionable insights, fostering data-driven farming.

The Agri-Robotics Center of Excellence: KU-SILAL Partnership

Underpinning these innovations is the UAE's first Centre of Excellence for Agri-Robotics and Automation, established by Khalifa University and SILAL with a 15 million dirham investment. Located at SILAL's Innovation Oasis in Al Ain, it features a 2,000m² autonomous greenhouse with robots, sensors, and IoT for testing in real-world conditions. Led by Professor Irfan Hussain at the Center for Autonomous Robotic Systems (KUCARS), the team—including Rajmeet Bhourji, Mashood Mohsan, and Muhammad Owais—focuses on AI-driven crop monitoring, soft grippers for delicate produce, and computer vision for disease detection. This partnership accelerates commercialization, targeting global markets while prioritizing UAE needs.

The center's digital twin simulates scenarios, refining tech for precision agriculture and reducing agrichemicals.

UAE's Agricultural Imperative: From Import Reliance to Innovation

The UAE imports over 85% of its food at a cost exceeding USD 13 billion annually, with domestic production hampered by scarce arable land (just 0.5% of territory) and high water demands—agriculture uses 70-80% of desalinated water. The National Food Security Strategy 2051 seeks top global ranking in food security indices, aiming for self-sufficiency in key commodities through tech like hydroponics (95% less water) and diversified imports from 3-5 sources per category. Pillars include sustainable production, trade facilitation, and waste reduction, with innovation at the core.

Khalifa University's Food Security and Technology Center (FSTC), led by experts like Prof. Tiejun Zhang in smart agriculture, aligns directly, pioneering resilient systems for arid climates.

Expert Perspectives and Stakeholder Impact

Conference attendees, including 200 Emirati farmers and 60 companies, praise KU's practical tools. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, highlighted AI's role in modern agriculture during the opening. Farmers benefit from reduced labor, higher yields, and lower inputs; startups gain commercialization paths; government advances 2051 goals.

Prof. Hussain notes: “Our robots outperform bees continuously, navigating GPS-poor greenhouses with cameras and AI.” Real-farm data training ensures 98%+ reliability.

Broader Implications for UAE Higher Education and Research

As a leading UAE university, Khalifa integrates research with industry, training Emirati talent in AI and robotics. Programs like winter youth camps expose students to agri-tech, fostering a new generation of farmers. This aligns with UAEU's dedicated conference day, emphasizing academia's role.

Outputs include patents, startups, and global applicability, positioning KU as a hub for desert agriculture tech.

Photo by Land O'Lakes, Inc. on Unsplash

Future Outlook: Scaling Innovations for Global Food Security

With commercialization slated for 2026, these innovations could transform UAE farming, supporting 50% local production by 2051. Challenges like scaling AI data remain, but KU-SILAL synergy promises solutions. As climate change intensifies, AI-driven farming offers resilience, from microalgae to vertical systems, ensuring nutritious food access amid population growth.

For details on KU's showcase, visit the official press release.

Actionable Insights for Stakeholders

• Farmers: Adopt TouchRIPE/Plant AI for immediate gains in efficiency.
• Researchers: Collaborate via FSTC/KUCARS for joint projects.
• Students: Explore KU's agri-robotics programs for careers in sustainable tech.
• Investors: Back PollenMATIC/AerialYield startups for high-impact returns.

Khalifa University's efforts exemplify how UAE higher education drives national priorities, blending academia, industry, and innovation for a food-secure future.