🌱 UAEU Takes Center Stage in Sustainable Agriculture Dialogue

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) recently hosted the Agricultural Sustainability and Food Security Forum, a pivotal event held on April 26, 2026, as part of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) in Al Ain. This gathering underscored UAEU's leadership in addressing one of the UAE's most pressing challenges: achieving food self-sufficiency in an arid environment. With the UAE importing approximately 90% of its food, initiatives like this forum highlight the critical role of higher education institutions in driving national strategies such as the National Food Security Strategy 2051, which aims to position the country as a global leader in food security innovation.

UAEU's College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM) spearheaded the forum, bringing together academics, industry experts, government officials, and students to explore practical solutions for sustainable farming. The event not only showcased cutting-edge research but also fostered collaborations essential for scaling innovations from lab to farm.

UAE's Food Security Imperative and Higher Education's Role

The UAE faces unique hurdles in agriculture due to its desert climate, limited arable land (only 0.5% of territory), and high water scarcity. Yet, visionary policies like the UAE Food Security Strategy 2051 target increasing domestic production to 50% by mid-century through technology adoption and R&D. Universities like UAEU are at the forefront, with CAVM's research facilities—including experimental stations at Al Foah and other sites—pioneering climate-resilient crops and resource-efficient systems.

At the forum, Dean Mohammed Abdul Muhsen Salem Alyafei emphasized how UAEU bridges academia and policy, stating that such platforms accelerate the translation of research into actionable strategies. This aligns with broader UAE efforts, including the Plant the Emirates initiative, which has planted millions of trees to combat desertification and support agroforestry.

Key Forum Highlights: Panels and Expert Insights

The centerpiece was a panel discussion titled “Food Security and Sustainability,” featuring experts debating topics like precision agriculture, waste recycling, and climate-adaptive farming. Discussions delved into integrating artificial intelligence (AI) for crop monitoring and blockchain for supply chain transparency, reflecting UAEU's interdisciplinary approach.

Speakers highlighted the need for public-private partnerships, with one noting that UAEU's innovations could reduce water usage by up to 70% via hydroponics and aquaponics—soil-less systems where plants grow in nutrient-rich water, often combined with fish farming for symbiotic nutrient cycling. These methods are ideal for the UAE's conditions, yielding higher outputs in controlled environments.

Innovative Projects from UAEU's Research Arsenal

UAEU's pavilion at the conference drew crowds with displays of smart irrigation systems that use sensors to deliver water precisely, saving up to 60% in energy and water compared to traditional methods. Precision farming tools, powered by IoT and data analytics, optimize fertilizer and pesticide use, minimizing environmental impact while boosting yields. Vertical farming and aquaponics models demonstrated multi-layer crop production in urban settings, crucial for land-scarce UAE.

A standout was the Smart Mushroom House at Al Foah Research Farm, an IoT-controlled facility growing oyster, lion’s mane, and desert truffles using date palm waste as substrate. Processing 600 bags per cycle with 20-30% yields, it exemplifies circular economy principles, turning agricultural by-products into high-value food. For more on this breakthrough, see the Gulf News feature.

Student-Led Innovations Driving Change

UAEU students shone brightly, presenting projects like Hamda Al Shamsi’s “An Integrated System for Growing Mushrooms in Built-in Containers,” which adapts container farming for arid scalability. Emirati undergraduates Maitha Al Dhaheri, Reem Al Mutairi, Al Yaziya Al Nuaimi, and Ghalia Abdulla Al Khateri led mushroom research, with Ghalia earning second place at the conference for waste-to-mushroom conversion. These efforts support doctoral and undergrad theses, contributing to the UAE National SDG Committee.

• IoT-optimized mushroom cultivation for desert climates.
• Waste recycling from date palms into nutrient substrates.
• Multi-variety production to diversify local supply.

The Universities Challenge in Food Security and Sustainability, organized by CAVM, encourages such creativity, inspired by Plant Emirates for awareness campaigns.

Technological Frontiers: Smart Farming in the UAE

UAEU's work exemplifies Agriculture 4.0: AI-driven systems monitor soil moisture, temperature, and humidity in real-time, automating irrigation and ventilation. Hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics—where fish waste fertilizes plants—cut water use dramatically, enabling year-round production. CAVM's projects like “Greening the Desert: Turning Arid Saline Sandy Soils into Water-smart Wheat Farms” target staple crops for self-sufficiency.

Details on UAEU's advanced facilities can be found in their research overview.

Challenges and Solutions in Arid Agriculture

Despite progress, challenges persist: salinity, extreme heat, and global supply disruptions. Forum participants outlined step-by-step solutions:

1. Soil remediation using biochars and halophytes.
2. Climate-controlled greenhouses with renewable energy.
3. Genetic engineering for drought-tolerant varieties.
4. Supply chain diversification via vertical integration.

UAEU's Arid Land Agriculture Institute supports these through multi-disciplinary programs, training future experts.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Collaborations

Government entities praised UAEU's contributions, aligning with MoCCAE's hydroponics push (87 farms operational). Private sector partners eye commercialization of student innovations. International ties, like UAE-South Africa forums, expand horizons. Dean Alyafei noted, “Our forum catalyzes partnerships for resilient food systems.”

Implications for UAE Higher Education

This forum positions UAEU as a hub for ag-tech education, with programs in integrative agriculture producing graduates for the sector. It inspires other UAE universities like University of Sharjah and Zayed University to amplify sustainability research. For aspiring academics, opportunities abound in CAVM's growing initiatives.

Future Outlook: Toward 2051 Goals

Looking ahead, UAEU plans expanded challenges and R&D hubs, targeting AI-agri fusion. With forum momentum, the UAE edges closer to top-10 Global Food Security ranking, powered by university innovation. Actionable insights include investing in student startups and policy-aligned curricula.

Explore UAEU's full report on the event via WAM.

Photo by Bernd 📷 Dittrich on Unsplash

Why This Matters for UAE Academia

In summary, UAEU's forum exemplifies how higher education drives national resilience. By nurturing talent and innovation, universities like UAEU ensure sustainable futures amid global uncertainties.