Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has signed six strategic cooperation agreements with several prominent government, academic, and community organisations during the second edition of Global Food Week in Abu Dhabi, an international platform focused on promoting food security and agricultural sustainability through knowledge exchange and innovation.
According to Emirates News Agency, these agreements represent ADAFSA’s continuous efforts to broaden institutional collaborations and enhance cross-sector integration. This initiative contributes to developing the agricultural and food industries in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, aligning with the leadership’s vision to establish a sustainable and resilient food system.
The first agreement was signed with the Zoo and Aquarium Public Institution in Al Ain – Al Ain Zoo (ZAPIA) to improve data integration. This agreement aims to feed Abu Dhabi’s One Health Laboratory Platform with crucial data related to animal diseases and agricultural pests. It involves sample exchange, activation of performance measurement and quality control programmes, and access to ADAFSA’s Food Security Data Platform to support rapid response and decision-making. Additionally, it covers joint laboratory analyses, development of a biological bank, and collaborative scientific research to bolster the emirate’s biosecurity system.
ADAFSA also entered into two agreements with Khalifa University of Science and Technology. The first focuses on research collaboration for two specialised scientific studies: producing functional foods from palm waste and enhancing poultry nutrition using fodder additives. It includes data exchange, joint laboratory experiments, and the publication of scientific findings.
The second is a memorandum of understanding (MoU) centered on capacity building and developing specialised training programmes for ADAFSA employees. It involves organising workshops and scientific lectures with university experts, implementing applied research, accessing academic and research resources, and exchanging biological samples to support analytical development.
The fourth agreement, signed with the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, aims to bolster community engagement in agricultural and food initiatives. The partnership will promote volunteerism, design community participation programmes for various groups, including people of determination and senior citizens, and launch joint awareness campaigns to underscore the importance of community involvement in food security. The agreement also entails collaboration with social enterprises and non-profit organisations, sharing expertise in agricultural entrepreneurship, and providing support packages for community-based projects.
The fifth MoU, signed with the National Agricultural Centre, focuses on promoting agricultural sustainability and enabling Emirati farms to achieve UAE GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification. The partnership will support adopting climate-smart practices and modern agricultural technologies. Cooperation areas include legislative development, supply chain optimisation, reduction of production losses, and organising national and international events to promote local produce. The MoU also calls for joint promotion of initiatives, exchange of non-confidential data, and support for applied research to enhance the quality and competitiveness of agricultural production.
The sixth agreement, signed with Global Academy Limited, seeks to enhance collaboration in research and development, training, and innovation. It establishes a framework for expertise exchange, human capital utilisation, and data sharing.
The MoU also outlines developing joint programmes for both stakeholders and the wider public, aligning institutional efforts with strategic objectives, and applying the highest cybersecurity standards in data exchange, reflecting both parties’ commitment to digital governance and regulatory compliance.
ADAFSA affirmed that these agreements mark a strategic step towards strengthening the food security and agricultural sustainability ecosystem through broader institutional collaboration and the integration of government, academic, and community efforts. They are designed to deliver positive impacts across society while reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional hub for agricultural and food innovation.