Abu dhabi: Al Ain Farms Group (AAFG) and Khalifa University Enterprises Company (KUEC), the commercial arm of Khalifa University, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition. The strategic agreement advances research, innovation, and sustainable practices across the UAE’s food sector, reinforcing the nation’s leadership in food security and science-driven industry growth. It also lays the foundation for talent incubation, with AAFG offering students access to real-world facilities and potential pathways to scale promising research ideas.
According to Emirates News Agency, AAFG, which brings together five of the UAE’s most trusted legacy brands-Al Ain Farms, Marmum Dairy, Al Ajban Chicken, Al Jazira Poultry’s Golden Eggs, and Saha Arabian Farms-plays a central role in delivering high-quality, locally produced foods. With a vertically integrated model spanning feed production, hatcheries, processing, packaging, and logistics, AAFG is well-positioned to support the UAE’s food security agenda.
This alliance redefines the region’s food innovation landscape across three key areas. First, the Camel Milk Revolution sees the partnership leveraging Khalifa University’s research and AAFG’s operational scale to advance technologies in human nutrition, animal wellbeing, nutrient valorisation, and shelf-life enhancement. The alliance also aims to explore commercialization pathways for camel milk, positioning it for global export and health-focused markets.
Secondly, in Sustainable Poultry Feed, the collaboration pilots pioneering premix feed technologies using local agricultural by-products and industry know-how. This initiative aims to slash costs, boost digestibility, and transform food system waste into new value streams, supporting UAE’s circular economy goals.
The third focus area is Talent, Science, and Real-World Solutions. Students and researchers will gain hands-on experience tackling genuine industry challenges, while AAFG gains access to Khalifa University’s incubation hub for co-created innovation, future-proofing the UAE talent pipeline and knowledge economy.
The strategic partnership will advance flagship pilot projects in camel milk and sustainable poultry feed, with rapid validation and scaling. It also includes co-ownership and management of technology and intellectual property, ensuring UAE-based breakthroughs remain nationally significant. Additionally, the alliance supports the UAE’s ambition to rank among the top 10 countries in the Global Food Security Index, with a strong focus on future-facing, circular economic solutions alongside delivering visibility to the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision for diversified, sustainable, and innovation-led national growth.
Amal Nasser Al Jaberi, Chief Executive Officer of Khalifa University Enterprises Company, emphasized the importance of translating Khalifa University’s research into real-world impact through deeper collaboration with industry. Hassan Safi, Group CEO of Al Ain Farms Group, highlighted the focus on camel milk as a symbol of UAE heritage and pride, aiming to commercialize cutting-edge research and showcase Emirati excellence to the world.