Radical changes needed to fix broken global food system by 2030, UAE-hosted conference hears

UAE officials tell World Food Security Forum that millions across the globe hit by supply chain disruptions

A worker attending to crops at a UAE farm. The country is investing in food security. Victor Besa / The National

A radical change is needed in the way we produce and consume food to eliminate hunger by 2030, it has been warned.

The World Food Security Forum on Monday heard that harnessing technology to increase sustainable food production is crucial in curbing food shortages if the world is to meet the key UN Sustainable Goal Development goal.

The forum heard if the current path is maintained then the world will fail to meet the key target.

“The world has experienced huge changes because of Covid-19,” said Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa, chairman of Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.

“Now more than ever we need to focus on food security as millions have been affected by supply chain disruptions and consumer demand.

“For several years Abu Dhabi has been utilising modern technology to increase the agritech production.

“While there are initiatives to encourage people to step into this industry, we need more programmes and incentives to encourage entrepreneurs to invest in the agritech sector to ensure long-term food resilience and stability.”

Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of State for Food Security. Wam

Hunger – along with lifestyle diseases, food waste and environmental degradation – is the result of a broken food system and a global effort is needed to improve the food landscape.

Current United Nations estimates show that nearly 690 million people are hungry or undernourished – up by 10 million in just one year.

The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation due to the economic and logistical pressure on food production and export.

During the forum, experts discussed how the industry needs to fast track water- and energy-smart food production.

From vertical farming, hydroponics and advanced irrigation systems to using treated wastewater to grow crops, they can all help to reduce water use and increase local food production.

Consumer behaviour towards food also came under the spotlight. Higher demand for more convenient, processed foods as well as meat and dairy were all contributing towards environmental degradation. And in turn, that has affected food production in less developed countries.

Mariam Al Mheiri, the UAE's Minister of State for Food Security, said diets have to change and local food produce must be encouraged.

“We need to improve consumer behaviour with food now, it is an essential component of national food security,” she said.

“By encouraging a better diet it will have a knock on impact on improved food production globally.”

If recent trends continue, the number of people affected by hunger will surpass 840 million by 2030, or 9.8 per cent of the global population.

As part of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Two to tackle hunger, several targets need to be met to achieve its outcome.

By 2030, the world needs to double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular family farmers and in developing countries. This can be achieved through securing equal access to land and knowledge transfer from agritech start-ups.

Sustainable food production systems need to not only increase production but also adapt to changes in climate and extreme weather.

The World Food Security Forum Middle East and North Africa convened government and industry leaders from across the region to discuss sustainable agriculture and food security.

Inside Abu Dhabi's latest vertical farm

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  Sean Lee, director of Smart Acres, at the hydroponics farm at the Armed Forces Officers Club, Abu Dhabi, which produces lettuce and leafy greens for sale in UAE supermarkets. Victor Besa / The National

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  Lettuce is grown in converted shipping containers. Victor Besa / The National

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  The produce grown using hydroponics. Victor Besa / The National

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  Sean Lee, director of the Smart Acres hydroponics farm. We want it to be commercially viable, he said.Victor Besa / The National

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  The farm is spread across eight converted shipping containers. Victor Besa / The National

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  The UAE’s newest vertical farm, Smart Acres, has started operation. All photos courtesy Smart Acres

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  The company collaborated with n.thing, a Korean-based technology company, to design the farm modules.

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  Smart Acres grows fresh produce for UAE residents and businesses.

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  Smart Acres says its system not only consumes less resources but generates ultra-high quality crops.

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  Smart Acres was founded to improve food security in the UAE and develop the country’s farming capabilities.

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  Smart Acres is in talks with hypermarkets and government entities to expand their distribution of produce across the country.