The Food Innovation Conference 2024, hosted in the Museum of the Future and Emirates Towers this week, brings together over 150 international experts, academics, local, regional and global private sector players and farmers under the theme of ‘Reimagining Future Food Systems.’
The conference explores the role of technology in supporting resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems, as well as the latest trends in food system sustainability, with attendance from the likes of Al Dahra Holding.
Speaking on the sidelines of his participation at the conference, His Excellency Khedaim Abdullah Al Derei, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Al Dahra Holding, said that the company’s participation stems from understanding the “vital role” of innovation in the field.
“We consistently invest in new tech that drives production efficiency and quality. We believe innovation is the key to facing all challenges, including climate change and the scarcity of resources,” commented the Co-Founder.
“Food industries are undergoing rapid transformations, prompting us to come up with sustainable cutting-edge solutions in order to keep up. To this end, technology offers the means to make significant strides in enhancing the sustainability of the food sector, while improving quality of life across communities.
“The conference provides a great opportunity to share expertise with various players in the field, and we hope Al Dahra is part of the solution to empower a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable food system,” he added.
Al Dahra Holding also serves as one of the partners of the Food Innovation Hub UAE, established in collaboration between Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Hub aims to develop solutions and initiatives to enhance food production, ensure the sustainability of food supply chains, and fight global hunger.
According to Al Dahra, the company adopts a holistic strategy that employs the latest technologies and practices in the food sector alongside strategies aimed at curbing climate change, price fluctuation, and supply chain challenges.
The company has 400 thousand acres of agricultural land in Egypt, Romania, Serbia, USA, and others, with a widespread geographical footprint, operating in over 20 countries and catering to more than 40 markets.
The Food Innovation Conference 2024 begins today under the theme ‘Reimagining Future Food Systems’. Running until 15 May, the event is organised by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI) and the World Economic Forum (WEF), hosted at the Museum of the Future and Emirates Towers in Dubai.
Over 150 international experts, academics, local, regional and global private businesses and farmers will be participating in various discussion panels across the event, with focus ranging from driving tech support of resilient, inclusive and sustainable food systems to fostering global cooperation.
The event will also highlight the best international practices and studies in the food sector and the latest relevant technologies, including AI and Data for Food.
“The conference is testament to the close cooperation between MBRGI and the World Economic Forum, and their joint visions for utilizing the huge potential of AI and advanced food tech to meet the growing global food needs, and creating the frameworks necessary to institutionalize this approach while encouraging research centers and innovators to develop solutions that address this noble cause,” said His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Secretary General of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI).
At the Food Innovation Hubs Global Initiative, national innovation modules will be showcased, as well as global frontiers and scalable technology innovations. This segment will also facilitate matchmaking between entrepreneurs, investors, and private and public sector leaders, it was shared.
Likewise, the role of technology in supporting resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems will be highlighted.
The conference is supported by the Food Innovation Hubs Global Initiative, launched by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with MBRGI, aimed at uniting partners from public and private sectors, international and regional organisations and civil society players.
This initiative aims to foster partnerships and collaboration in food system innovation, fund promising initiatives locally and regionally, and promote the sharing of food-related knowledge and data globally.
The event will feature keynote speeches by Her Excellency Dr. Amna Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment; Tania Strauss, Head of Food and Water, World Economic Forum and Asma Khan, Chef Advocate, World Food Programme.
On 13 and 14 May, the Food Innovation Conference 2024 is also organising an open exhibition showcasing the latest food system innovation through an interactive platform enabling visitors to learn about modern technologies shaping the future of food systems.
The Food Innovation Hubs Leadership Committee meeting will be held on the sidelines of the conference on 14 May, while on 15 May, participants will be able to visit multiple sites, including farms and production plants, to highlight practices adopted in the UAE to achieve food sustainability.
Social enterprise Goumbook has announced the top ten finalists for its Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme. The initiative aims to foster innovation through research, science, and nature-based solutions matched with entrepreneurship in the regenerative agriculture space in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region.
Regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to farming that focuses on restoring and enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and ecosystems, which seeks to build resilience against climate change, improve food security, and promote sustainable land use.
Following an open call for submissions from 18 countries, the program process received numerous process-driven and technological innovation-based applications.
The top ten finalists, comprise researchers and entrepreneurs from the United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey, who have submitted solutions related to soil health and regeneration, minimising chemical footprint, diversified crops, technological solutions, and fertilisers.
In the next phase, these finalists will further develop their solutions into proof of concepts and scale for impact.
These finalists include:
- More Drop, More Crop: Sustainable water conservation for arid regions (UAE) –Technological Solutions
- Systemic Farming Method: Carbon Sequestration for Future Food Security (UAE) –Technological Solutions
- Food Waste Rescue, Compost Production to Soil Building in Waste Lab’s solution for sustainable agriculture (UAE) – Organic Fertilisers
- Farm as an Ecosystem: Diversified, resilient farm ecosystem and microbiome bioreactor (KAUST University, Saudi Arabia) – Healthy Soil Regeneration
- Smart Encapsulation of Plant Growth Factor for Elevated Germination in Wheat Seeds: Revolutionising agriculture and crop resilience (KAUST University, Saudi Arabia) – Minimising Chemical Footprint
- Sesame Breeding: High-Value Production and Improved Varieties in Hot and Dry Climates: Improved sesame varieties, high value, low inputs, returning biomass carbon to the soil. (KAUST University, Saudi Arabia) – Diversified Crops
- MicroFert: Customised bio-products for enhanced crop productivity and soil fertility (Heliopolis University, Egypt) – Organic Fertilisers
- Cyanoboost: enhanced plant growth and diversity of rhizospheric microbiome in medicinal plants (Heliopolis University, Egypt) – Biofertilisers
- Egrobots: AI-powered farming bots for crop protection (Egypt) – Technological Solutions
- Conservation & Organic Agriculture of Olive Trees (Turkey) – Diversified Crops
According to Goumbook, each of these projects presents innovative solutions to pressing challenges facing agriculture in the MENAT region and beyond, addressing issues such as soil degradation, water scarcity, food waste, and climate change, through a blend of science, technology, and organic approaches.
Samantha Kayruz, Goumbook’s Strategy & Sustainability Impact Director, commented: “Their work underscores the MENAT region’s capacity for research and innovation in tackling agricultural challenges with science and nature-based solutions. This also emphasises the importance of supporting our region’s innovators and researchers in developing solutions tailored to our unique agriculture, food security, and climate change challenges.”
The finalists will now embark on Bootcamp 2, which will include subject matter-led sessions and additional mentorship one-on-one sessions.
This will culminate in the judges selecting three winners as recipients of grants to help them scale their research and innovations for impact.
The final three winners will be announced following a live pitch presentation and assessment by the judge evaluation committee. The winners will collaborate with local farmers to integrate their concepts into real-world agricultural practices, and gain access to a supportive stakeholder community.
The Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme is spearheaded by Goumbook in partnership with HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), and supported by the European Institute of Technology Food (EIT Food).
This week, the Partnership for Healthy Cities initiative was launched by the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministries of Health and Population, Education and Technical Education, the Cairo Governorate, and the Egyptian Food Bank (EFB).
The joint initiative aims to safeguard citizens health from non-communicable diseases by providing school canteens with the necessary equipment and supplies to offer healthy food options.
Alongside this, the Egyptian Food Bank will provide healthy foods, operate the school canteen, and conduct interactive activities to promote health messages in selected schools as part of EFB’s ‘School Nutrition’ program.
It was shared that this program is a key part of EFB’s prevention pillar initiatives aimed at preventing malnutrition in newborns and children up to 12 years old, focusing on transitioning from treatment-oriented policies to preventive measures, targeting the reduction of food insecurity.
According to Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, the ‘Partnership for Healthy Cities’ program also aligns with the ministry’s and the Egyptian government’s citizen health improvement efforts, seen in the launch of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s initiative to combat obesity, anemia, and stunting among children in schools, among other initiatives and programs aimed at fostering a disease-free future.
The results of the presidential initiative to detect malnutrition among primary school students for the academic year 2022/2021 found a prevalence of anaemia among children aged 6-12 years of approximately 17 per cent. Meanwhile, roughly 4.5 per cent in the same age group suffered from stunting, and 12 per cent suffered from obesity.
Dr. Nima Abid, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative in Egypt, outlined that individual health is influenced by a complex interplay of biological factors, encompassing physical, mental, and psychological dimensions, as well as environmental, behavioral, social, and economic determinants.
Further, citing that non-communicable diseases account for roughly 84 per cent of deaths in Egypt, the parties shared it was important to address the most prevalent risk factors, notably unhealthy nutrition.
The ‘Partnership for Healthy Cities’ initiative is a global network backed by Bloomberg Philanthropies Organization, encompassing 70 cities, including Cairo. Its objective is to save lives by preventing non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
It was shared that initiative also evaluated the environment of school canteens and the quality of food sold, and from this, the organisation provided the equipment and supplies that would enable canteens to sell healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables as healthy alternatives.
Health educators and canteen staff were also trained to provide scientific information on these alternatives and encourage students to adopt healthy dietary patterns.
A new first-of-its-kind report, which surveyed 210 experts across 48 countries, warns that to meet climate goals, rapid reductions in global livestock emissions and a shift to plant-based diets are required, especially in high- and middle-income nations.
The report from researchers at Harvard University, New York University, Leiden University, and Oregon State University gathered responses from climate scientists and sustainable food and agriculture researchers, 60 per cent of whom have authored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports.
It outlined that 92 per cent agree that reducing emissions from the livestock sector is important to limiting temperatures to a maximum of 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and livestock emissions should be reduced as much as possible to reduce the risk of temperatures exceeding 1.5°C (87 per cent) or 2°C (85 per cent).
It was considered important by 78 per cent of respondents that absolute livestock numbers also peak globally by 2025.
Specifically, it notes that livestock emissions must peak in high-income (HICs) and middle-income countries (MICs) before 2025 and after 2030 in low-income countries (LICs).
Following this peak, experts agree that livestock emissions should fall rapidly in HICs (89 per cent of respondents) and MICs (75 per cent of respondents), with most agreeing that the livestock sector’s emissions must decrease by 61 per cent by 2036.
Moreover, 85 per cent of experts agree it is important that human diets shift from livestock-derived foods to livestock-replacement foods.
The most substantial shifts would occur among consumers in HICs and MICs. In MICs, consumer diets would be expected to shift to more plant-based diets, while in HICs, consumer diets would be expected to shift to much more plant-based.
In LICs, consumer diets would be expect to shift from current patterns to slightly more plant-based, it was noted.
For the full report, head here.
Olam Group’s food, feed and fibre operating group, Olam Agri, recently secured a commodity Murabaha facility from a diversified group of global investors, including from the UAE, totalling US$625 million.
According to the company, the Facility is initially guaranteed by Olam Group, which will transfer to Olam Agri after the planned IPO and demerger of Olam Agri.
Proceeds from the Facility will be applied towards general corporate purposes, it noted.
Alongside UAE investors, other investors are from Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong,
The company shared that Emirates NBD Capital Limited and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank are the Global Shariah Co-ordinators for the Facility.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, Emirates NBD Bank, and First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) are the Senior Mandated Lead Arrangers for the Facility.
Citibank N.A., Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, HSBC Amanah, Mizuho Bank Ltd, MUFG Bank (Malaysia), Berhad, and Standard Chartered Bank are the Mandated Lead Arrangers.
Emirates Islamic Bank is the Lead Arranger, and FAB is the Investment Agent.
Commenting on the sharia-compliant financing facility, N Muthukumar, Group CFO of Olam Group and CEO of Operations at Olam Agri, said: “This landmark commodity Murabaha financing further diversifies Olam Agri’s funding mix with access to a new investor pool which provides financing on the basis of Shariah principles.”
Danone Nutricia Middle East DMCC has announced that it has become the first FMCG company in the GCC to receive B Corporation certification.
The company shared that its sustainability strategy, the Danone Impact Journey, was a key factor in securing the certification.
The strategy sets out three priorities:
- Health through food,
- Preserving and regenerating nature, and
- People and communities.
Included in these priorities is Danone’s commitment to decarbonisation in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming to 1.5°C.
The company has committed to net zero by 2050 and has set a roadmap of milestones for the short- and medium-term.
It aims to achieve a 30 per cent improvement in energy efficiency by 2025, while also sourcing ingredients only from farms that have begun to transition to regenerative agriculture.
Further, all packaging will be 100 per cent recyclable, reusable and compostable by 2030, and methane emissions from products will be reduced by 30 per cent by the end of the decade.
B Corp certifications are earned by operating with the highest levels of accountability and transparency across customers, communities, suppliers, the environment, and employees.
To obtain the B Corp certification, companies undergo a thorough B Impact Assessment from B Lab Company and achieve a minimum score of 80 out of 200.
The Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme (RAVP), an initiative spearheaded by Goumbook, has announced that it has received 158 registrations from over 18 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region and beyond.
Registrations have been submitted by researchers, students, and entrepreneurs, it was shared.
The Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme, in partnership with HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), and supported by the European Institute of Technology Food (EIT Food), focuses on early-stage research and nature-based solutions integrating regenerative agriculture practices.
These solutions aim to be scalable and accessible, particularly to small and medium farmholders who represent between 60 and 80 per cent of the agricultural landscape.
The programme targets the upskilling of researchers, students and entrepreneurs who are addressing key agricultural challenges in the MENAT region.
These regenerative agriculture solutions address various issues, including:
- Soil health,
- Food security,
- Water scarcity,
- Biodiversity loss,
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation,
- Carbon sequestration,
- Combating salinity and desertification,
- Enhancing yields and nutrition,
- Promoting crop resilience,
- Utilising natural fertilisers and pest control, and
- Benefiting social welfare.
Submissions were received from 18 countries, with Saudi Arabia and Egypt each contributing 24 per cent. Meanwhile, the UAE represented 19 per cent of the applications, Turkey 10 per cent, and Morocco and Algeria 5 per cent each.
Further, applicants are 43 per cent female and 57 per cent male applicants.
RAVP explained that following the verification process, applicants engaged in a virtual boot camp, where they collaborated with experts, mentors, and entrepreneurs to explore regenerative agriculture’s potential from environmental, social, and economic perspectives.
The boot camp sessions covered ideation, transforming research proposals into business pitch decks, and exploring funding mechanisms to support regenerative agriculture solutions.
The semi-finalists were selected based on their capacity to address agricultural challenges, food security, and climate change within the MENAT region. Their projects cover a wide range of innovations, including new methods to improve soil health, applications of circularity within agriculture waste, enhancing crop and climate resilient varieties, reducing reliance of synthetic chemicals, tackling salinity and water scarcity, to cutting-edge technological innovations.
The top 21 semi-finalists submitted their initial business pitch decks for evaluation by a panel of experts. The next phase will equip the top 10 finalists with skills in entrepreneurship, intellectual property protection, pitching, and investment strategies to further develop their solutions commercially.
Goumbook’s Regenerative Agriculture Programme has also announced the Judge Evaluation Committee, composed of diverse regional and international subject matter experts, who will assess semi-finalists’ solutions and select the top ten finalists.
Going ahead, finalists will showcase their solutions to a panel of judges, competing to secure one of three $10,000 awards with further support and potential funding available to them, subject to their solutions’ needs requirements.
The winners will collaborate with local farmers to integrate their concepts into real-world agricultural practices.
They will also be able to access supporting stakeholder community calling on public institutions, private entities and NGOs.
Dubai Municipality has launched ‘Dubai’s Best Homegrown Produce Competition’, an initiative aimed at supporting citizen farmers and promoting local agriculture to increase local production and enhance food security in the Emirate.
One of the programs under Dubai Farms, Dubai Municipality, shared that it targets a number of areas, including the promotion of a productive agriculture culture, environmental sustainability, and self-sufficiency, alongside raising community awareness about the latest methods and techniques in agriculture.
The prizes will amount to AED 100,000, which will be awarded to the first three centers divided into:
- AED 50,000 for the first winner,
- AED 30,000 for the second, and
- AED 20,000 for the third.
Further, a Medal of Dubai’s Best Homegrown Produce, will be placed by Dubai Municipal Leaders at the front of the winning garden.
The winners of the competition will be announced in May 2024.
Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al-Awadi, Director of Agriculture Department at Dubai Municipality, said: “Dubai Municipality is focused on the goal of supporting community practices, which motivates both citizens and residents to produce sustainable local agriculture. It is a pivotal factor in the efforts to ensure the sustainability of the food security system and environmental resources. The commitment comes in support of the National Food Security Strategy goals, as well as Dubai Food Security Strategy, which aims at improving domestic production and reducing food loss and wastage, further consolidating the Emirate’s position as the world’s leading destination that combines aesthetic, environmental and food sustainability.”
“The Municipality offers essential facilities to implement initiatives and programs to support the success of citizens’ agricultural projects and encourage them to make use of available spaces in their gardens thus boosting proportions of the contributions made by small-scale domestic agricultural enterprises towards Dubai’s domestic product ranges. It further aims to improve the quality of life and happiness of the members of the society,” Al-Awadi added.
There is a one-month period to register for this competition and participants must share the details of their cultivated items, irrigation methods, and a picture of the garden.
All kinds of owners (property or lease) with home gardens are eligible to participate in the competition, however, owners of farmlands, members of the Supreme or Technical Committee, or other subcommittees are not.
On assessment criteria, a number of factors will be considered, including the use of organic fertilisers, the reduction of chemical fertilisers and soil free of weeds, and ensuring the safety of plant varieties from pests and diseases through integrated control methods.
Proper waste disposal and recycling of agricultural waste, will also be considered.
The criteria also highlight points such as:
- Rationalising resource consumption of both water and electricity,
- The use of solar energy,
- The application of advanced irrigation systems,
- The preservation of quality and hygiene, and
- The recycling of irrigation water.
Elsewhere, the diversity of plants grown and the balance of plants in the garden are highlighted in the criteria to ensure overall appearance.
In addition, the criteria set standards for the type and quality of production, maintaining the garden’s hygiene, security, and safety measures such as guarding power lines, irrigation sockets, and service corridors within the park, and the requirement for an innovative and unique idea.
It was shared that Dubai Municipality will provide a package of services and facilities to support its national farmers through the Dubai Farms Program.
It will provide agricultural extension services, control agricultural pests and necessary laboratory tests, competitive prices for agricultural supplies, machinery, and irrigation systems, and prepare the production agriculture strategy for Dubai, it was shared.