Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Hazza Open Emirates Agriculture Expo in Al Ain

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, alongside Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain Region, officially inaugurated the first Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition, held in Al Ain.

The four-day event, taking place from May 28 to 31 at ADNEC Centre Al Ain, is organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. It serves as a national platform to highlight the UAE’s growing focus on sustainable farming, food security, and innovative agriculture and tech solutions tailored to arid environments.

During the opening tour, Sheikh Mansour and Sheikh Hazza explored numerous exhibition areas featuring breakthroughs in smart agriculture, vertical farming, and modern agriculture technology designed for the UAE’s desert climate. A significant highlight was the unveiling of the National Agricultural Museum, a new initiative dedicated to honouring the country’s rich UAE agriculture legacy and future ambitions.

The exhibition brought together national companies and specialised farms that showcased forward-thinking approaches to boost crop yields, increase climate resilience, and support the goals of the National Food Security Strategy 2051. Among the themed areas were the Farmers’ Exhibition, spotlighting local produce and apiculture; the Youth Zone, supporting innovation by young Emiratis; and the Agritech Zone, which presented cutting-edge ag tech systems.

Additional segments included the Universities Zone, which promoted research-based contributions to sustainable farming agriculture; the Community Zone, featuring engaging public workshops; and zones dedicated to start-ups, private enterprises, and government bodies, demonstrating the breadth of collaboration shaping the UAE’s smart farming and sustainable agricultural landscape.

In his address, Sheikh Mansour underlined the strategic relevance of the event to the UAE’s broader goals. “Holding this conference in Al Ain reflects our commitment to empowering Emirati farmers, achieving greater self-sufficiency, and fostering a sustainable agricultural model,” he said. “The adoption of smart agriculture and modern agriculture technology is crucial to long-term success.”

Sheikh Hazza highlighted Al Ain’s pivotal role in the nation’s agricultural progress, saying, “This event affirms agriculture as an essential part of our heritage and community identity. Strengthening public-private partnerships is key to accelerating agriculture and tech innovation and meeting the goals of the National Food Security Strategy.”

Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, delivered a keynote titled “Local Produce: A Success Story Savoured Worldwide.” She paid tribute to Al Ain’s 4,000-year-old agriculture traditions and the foundational vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who championed sustainable farming as a cornerstone of national development.

“Emirati farmers are central to this event,” Dr. Al Dahak stated. “We aim to empower them through collaborative efforts, knowledge sharing, and inclusive platforms that position them at the forefront of building a greener, more sustainable farming agriculture future.”

The conference features participation from 22 government bodies, 40 private sector companies, 20 start-ups, and four universities. More than 1,000 students are engaged in the programme, which includes over 75 expert speakers, 20 panel discussions and presentations, and 35 workshops — 11 tailored specifically for farmers and 24 open to the general public.