Khalifa Fund Showcases Three Innovative National Projects at 6th Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture

The Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development (KFED) participated in the sixth edition of the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. This year, KFED showcased three innovative agricultural projects it supports as part of its endeavors to assist Emirati entrepreneurs, promote innovation and creativity, and help enhance the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the different sectors. 

Mouza Al Nasri, Acting Chief Executive Officer at Khalifa Fund, said that the Fund’s participation was designed to open new markets and widen the local, regional, and international reach of the projects it supports.  The event formed part of its commitment to support startups and SMEs across industries, especially in the agricultural sector, which is a key pillar of the government’s food security and self-sufficiency programs. 

“The Fund fully supports innovation-driven projects to improve the UAE’s global positioning and drive the country’s economy through increased productivity and entry to new markets for their products and services. Joining the forum served as another step to show our support to young entrepreneurs and foster a culture of innovation and creativity in Abu Dhabi and the UAE,” she added. 

‘Fish Farm’, one of KFED-supported projects highlighted during the event, produces 70 tons of numerous fish species using aquaponics technology and honey products. It reuses the water from the aquaponics pools for the palm and other crops in the farm which aims to be fully sustainable and become a learning hub for students in the future. 

International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), another project supported by the Fund, is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999. Initially established to address the issue of salinity and promote the use of saline water for irrigated agriculture, ICBA has evolved over the years into a world-class modern research facility with a team of international scientists conducting applied research and development to improve the country’s agricultural productivity and sustainability in the marginal and saline environments. In 2013, the Center developed a new strategic direction that takes innovation as a core principle. Using a multi-pronged approach, it closely addresses challenges concerning water, environment, income, and food security through research and innovations. 

‘Gracia Farm’,the third KFED-supported project showcased in the forum, is involved in the field of hydroponics. It aims to use the latest agricultural systems to produce the highest quality products and contribute to the government’s food security program and efforts to achieve global excellence. The company is keen to provide products that are free from toxic substances.  

The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture gathered policy makers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, academics, experts, and innovators to discuss the future of food production, come up with practical solutions driven by artificial intelligence, and promote sustainable agriculture to ensure food security in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.