Abu Dhabi Launches Agriculture, Food Security Data Platform To Improve Policies, Programs

Abu Dhabi has launched the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Security Data Platform as a strategic tool to support decision-making on food security and agriculture issues in the emirate. The move is aimed at improving policies and programs in the food sector.

The platform was launched under the directives of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the ADAFSA.

The platform provides detailed information on all aspects of the agriculture and food sector in Abu Dhabi, from production to distribution and consumption. It allows for the analysis of current data and the creation of reports to help policymakers improve food security policies and programs.

The goal is to develop a sustainable and responsive food system that meets the needs of Abu Dhabi and quickly addresses any threats to food security and biosecurity.

Director-General of ADAFSA Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri called the launch an important step toward promoting innovation in the field of food security.

He noted that this initiative "embodies the insightful vision of a wise leadership that recognizes the importance of food security in achieving stability and prosperity, within the framework of the Abu Dhabi government's commitment to utilizing all resources and capabilities to ensure the provision of safe and sustainable food for all residents of the emirate," WAM reported.

Al Ameri said that this platform was created with help from both public and private sector partners, using data from 16 key collaborators, ensuring that the platform provides detailed and well-managed information for the agriculture and food sectors.

The goal of the Agriculture and Food Security Data Platform is to help ADAFSA achieve its main goals, including ensuring food availability and safety, supporting sustainable agriculture, and quickly responding to any food and biosecurity threats.

This will also help boost the competitiveness of local products.

The platform tracks food security situations at local, regional, and global levels using a dashboard with over 335 indicators. It supports a quick response to food emergencies, animal diseases, and agricultural pests by providing early warnings, preparing for various risks, and creating plans to handle crises and food emergencies.

The platform gathers and monitors all relevant data on agriculture, including crop and livestock production, trade and investment, future production forecasts, food reserves, and food loss and waste throughout the supply chain.

The platform also offers forecasts and scientific predictions about how much food will be produced and consumed. It analyzes price trends for important local and global products and looks at how dependent each food category is on imports.

Earlier this month, Minister of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak said the UAE is dedicated to working with BRICS countries on joint food security projects and increasing food trade among member nations.