UAE minister says overhaul of food systems needed to wipe out world hunger

Figures show more than 800 million people are facing hunger

A woman cooks food at a camp for internally displaced people in Nigeria, where at least 13 million are going hungry. AP

An overhaul of global food systems is needed to eradicate world hunger, the UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment has said.

Mariam Al Mheiri was speaking at the first day of Gulfood 2022, which is taking place at the Dubai World Trade Centre until February 17.

She said that the transformation was necessary to ensure people could have access to safe, adequate and affordable food.

Worldwide, about 811 million people are facing hunger, with one in three people denied access to adequate food due to conflict, climate change and the impact of the global pandemic.

Ms Al Mheiri said that the process of addressing world hunger must be inclusive, innovative and data-driven to help develop policies that would boost food supply and eradicate food insecurity.

She said that the UAE was leading the way by investing heavily in agtech, including the Food Tech Valley, which looks at pioneering agriculture solutions using technology.

These methods have been proven especially beneficial for arid climates such as the UAE.

Rice farm in Sharjah - in pictures

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  Emirati and Korean scientists have successfully grown rice crops in a remote Sharjah desert. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  In 2020, 763 kilograms of crops were harvested.

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  Amal Al Ahmadi, head of agricultural research section at Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said the efforts are part of a research project to enhance the UAE's food security.

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  The UAE is one of the largest importers of rice. Due to the country's hot climate, rice is difficult to cultivate and is better suited for nations with high rainfall.

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  The ministry has partnered with South Korea's Rural Development Administration to create innovative ways to grow rice.

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  An underground drop irrigation system is used to water the crops. There are four methods used, including drip and furrows (canals with drips), normal drip system, flooding with a protective layer and flooding in furrows.

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  Korean scientists are at the farm nearly every day to monitor the crops.

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  The goal is to grow the crops in a sustainable way by using 50 per cent less water than what would be required. Pictured are water tanks that are used for farming.

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  Technology is also used to help monitor the crops' health, including cameras, sensors and weather systems.

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  The main challenge have been seed-eating birds that damage the crops.

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  The Asemi variety of rice has been the most successful out of the two main ones that were tested, but there are 33 other types that are also being researched in smaller patches.

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  The project is also meant to help farmers grow rice sustainably in the future.

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  A machine designed to distribute nutrients to the plants at the rice farm.

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  The rice is only for research purposes and will not be available for commercial use.