Her Excellency Mariam Almheiri, Minister of State for Food and Water Security, emphasised that the launch of the initial phase of theFoodTech Valley is vitally important at this current time when the world needsstrategic projects to achieve food self-sufficiency,while alsoensuring sustainability and theconservation of resources. Highlighting that the initiative translates the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai,for creating projects that can shape the future and build a knowledgeeconomy based on innovation, Her Excellency said thatthe FoodTech Valley project will establish the position of the UAE as a global laboratory for the latest technologies in innovation-based food security.

"The FoodTech Valley project is an instrumental stride towards enhancing food security and will serve as a global destinationfor expertise in the entire food ecosystem. It will also be an economic zone – something thatis particularly significantconsidering that the size of the AgTechmarket is projected to grow from 13.5 billion to 22 billion US dollars over the next four years. The project is part of our efforts to achieve our strategic national goals with respect to food security, as it constitutes an incubator for advanced farms – including indoor and vertical farms – with more than 60% of the project’s space allocated to these activities. The project will include a centre for food innovation that has been designed to resemble a head of wheat and will incorporate laboratories, research centres and prototype agricultural systems. The project is also located strategically close touniversities and academic institutions to support the R&D ecosystem and explore and deliver sustainable solutions around food,” said Her Excellency.

“As we celebrate the past 50 years of achievement inspired by our founding fathers, we look forward to the next 50 yearswith confidence to achieve our National Food SecurityStrategy and to enhance our capabilities in food production as a nation. We seek to adopt and develop the latest methods for smart agriculture and food production, rationalisewater use, accelerate basic food self-sufficiency, and share our successful experiences with countries around the world. This willhelp us to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and safeguardthe future of forthcoming generations,” Her Excellency concluded.