Sectors — Food
Food systems must produce more with less land, water and waste.
Hundreds of millions of people still face hunger, while a fifth of food available to consumers is wasted. Agtech and AI are opening new ways to grow, move and use food, and the UAE is investing to make its food system more resilient.
Where the sector is heading
01
Food security in an uncertain world
Global view
8.2% of the world’s population faced hunger in 2024, according to the UN’s latest State of Food Security and Nutrition report.
UAE lens
Under the National Food Security Strategy 2051, the UAE is diversifying supply, expanding domestic production and building reserves, aiming for three to five alternative suppliers for each major food category.
02
Less waste, lower emissions
Global view
About 1.05 billion tonnes of food were wasted in 2022, nearly a fifth of food available to consumers, and food loss and waste is linked to 8 to 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
UAE lens
The UAE has set a national target to halve food loss and waste by 2030, led by the Ne’ma initiative.
03
Farming with less water
Global view
Agrifoodtech startups raised US$16.2 billion in 2025, with investment in farm-level technologies rising 7% to US$9 billion.
UAE lens
The UAE is investing in controlled-environment agriculture, vertical farming and hydroponics, which can cut water use by up to 90% compared with conventional farming.
How innovation will shape it
The role of AI and emerging tech
AI and agtech are helping produce more food with less land, water and waste, from farm to fork.
- AI crop monitoring and precision irrigation
- Controlled-environment, vertical and hydroponic farming
- Forecasting and cold-chain tools that cut loss across supply chains
- Alternative proteins and new ingredients
- Tracking, reducing and upcycling food waste
The role of talent
Skills for the next economy
Global view
Modern food systems need people who combine agriculture with data, engineering and business skills to bring new solutions to market.
UAE lens
As the UAE expands domestic production and agtech, it needs a new generation of agri-entrepreneurs, growers and food technologists.
The sector needs agronomists, engineers, data and AI specialists, supply chain experts and entrepreneurs, and young people ready to build the solutions.
How we work with governments and corporates
We design the right format for what you want to advance.
The conversation
Forums, roundtables and leadership dialogues that bring the right decision-makers together.
Investment
Investor platforms, live pitches and curated deal rooms that connect capital with ventures.
Innovation
Accelerators, challenges, innovation sprints and hackathons that turn ideas into solutions.
Partnerships
Partnership strategies and sponsorship programmes that bring corporates, funders and stakeholders on board to back and scale your initiative.
Talent
Youth programmes, skills bootcamps, challenges and forums that equip young people for the future of food.
Reach
Outreach campaigns that scout and engage startups, SMEs, investors and partners across the region and beyond.
Our work in food
levelUP
Startup accelerator · Khalifa Fund
We ran levelUP for Khalifa Fund, accelerating the next generation of AgTech entrepreneurs.
CEO Program
Venture building · Khalifa Fund
We helped government employees turn their ideas into AgTech ventures through a venture-building programme with Khalifa Fund.
Green Group Climate Adaptation Accelerator
Startup accelerator by Green Group
We accelerated agri-food founders from six countries building climate adaptation solutions, and showcased them at a COP28 UAE Demo Day.
Investor Connect
Zayed Sustainability Prize
We help Zayed Sustainability Prize finalists in food find the right investors and buyers, preparing them through an investor readiness programme and connecting them through curated one-to-one meetings and IC Live Pitches.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Regional outreach partner since 2024
We lead the Prize’s outreach across MENA, reaching startups and SMEs with food solutions and encouraging the strongest to apply, and we shape its partnership strategy.
Let's design the right format for your goals.
Let's co-create