Persian Somali sheep will be one of the breeds farmers hope can scoop-up prizes in the first livestock expo in Abu Dhabi next month.
The Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre will host EuroTier, a three-day farming trade show, from September 2.
More than 120 exhibitors will attend one of the region’s largest gatherings of livestock managers and agriculturalists to display the latest technologies bringing food from the farm to the plate.
Saeed Al Ameri, director-general of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, said innovative farming methods are more important in an era of climate change.
"With global weather patterns becoming increasingly harsh and unpredictable, it is important for our local farming and agriculture communities to innovate,” he said.
“It is crucial they develop their agricultural and livestock-rearing practices to maintain the current levels of food production and self-reliance.”
An animal breeding contest will be held across several categories including meat quality and milk production for Nuami, Najdi and Persian Somali sheep.
Boer, Ardi, Salali and Rahbi goats will also contest competition categories.
More than Dh1 billion of funds has been committed by state-backed investors into Abu Dhabi agricultural technology companies in recent months.
In a recent UN forum, scientists said farming and development was having a major impact soil erosion.
An Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said food insecurity could threaten millions of people in the near future, unless alternative farming methods were adopted.
Some of those technologies will be on view at the EuroTier expo next month.
“Farming innovation needs to be done while investing in safe, sustainable technologies that ensure food security for the future generations of Abu Dhabi,” said Mr Al Ameri.
