Emirates Agriculture Conference And Exhibition 2026 Opens With Call For AI-Driven Food Security And Unified Data System, Launches Universities Hackathon

The inaugural day of the second edition of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 brought the development of a national agricultural data ecosystem into sharp focus, alongside the growing role of artificial intelligence in transforming the agricultural sector. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the day's sessions underscored how smarter use of data and AI-driven technologies can sharpen resource management, strengthen decision-making, and build a more resilient and sustainable food security ecosystem for the UAE. The first day also saw the official launch of the Universities Hackathon, reinforcing the event's commitment to agricultural innovation and nurturing the next generation of national talent.

The themes explored in the day's sessions aligned closely with the strategic vision of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026, organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment under the theme 'A Comprehensive Emirati Agricultural Platform...Towards a Sustainable Community and Global Innovation'. The event serves as a national platform for knowledge exchange, expert dialogue, and the development of practical solutions that support the transition to climate-smart, efficient, and sustainable agriculture in the country.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, delivered a keynote address on the opening day of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026, reaffirming the UAE's commitment to becoming a leading global model in food security. HE noted that this ambition is being realised through close collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders, with national efforts aligned towards strengthening the nation's resilience against the shifting global landscape affecting agriculture and food systems.

The Minister described the conference as a key national platform that brings together industry leaders to shape the future of food security, share expertise, showcase best practices, and spotlight the latest innovations in technology and artificial intelligence driving next-generation agricultural infrastructure. He stressed that these advancements are key to boosting domestic production and forging meaningful strategic partnerships.

On the sector's performance, the Minister highlighted the strong growth trajectory of the UAE's food industry, underpinned by a robust legislative and regulatory environment designed to sharpen the competitive edge of local food businesses, attract investment, and support entrepreneurs at every stage  from start-up to scale. His Excellency further underscored the critical role of small enterprises, emphasising the importance of bringing them into the broader food value chain.

Looking ahead, he made a compelling case for artificial intelligence and advanced technology as cornerstones of a data-driven economy capable of improving productivity, ensuring long-term sustainability, and enabling smarter decision-making across the sector.

The Minister concluded by spotlighting several flagship Ministry initiatives focused on localising supply chains, cutting food waste, enhancing logistics networks, and generating new employment opportunities in the years ahead.

Data at the Heart of the Food-Energy-Water Nexus

A panel discussion titled 'The Role of Data in the Food-Energy-Water Nexus' brought together leading voices to examine the growing importance of data and AI in strengthening the interconnection between the critical sectors underpinning food security, namely water, energy, and food. In a conversation with His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Hamid Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Energy, HE Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi,Assistant Undersecretary for the Food Diversity Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, addressed how intelligent data systems can drive more efficient use of natural resources in agriculture

The discussion highlighted how technology and data play a critical role in developing a holistic understanding of the relationship between water, energy and food. Data supports more effective resource management policies, enhances the agricultural sector's ability to adapt to environmental and climate pressures, and advances the nation's broader goal of achieving sustainable food security through the optimal use of available resources.

HE Al Jarwan underscored that a robust regulatory framework is fundamental to achieving sustainability across the food-energy-water nexus. He stressed the need for clearly defined national objectives and a comprehensive, measurable strategy to meet the country's long-term strategic priorities.

On technology, His Excellency noted that the effective deployment of AI and other advanced solutions depends entirely on the availability of accurate, reliable data and that without it, even the most sophisticated applications fall short. He called for a unified data ecosystem connecting all stakeholders, from government entities and farmers to companies, research centres, and traders, to drive optimal resource use and strengthen sustainability outcomes.

Unified National Agricultural Data System to Drive Planning and Production

A titled 'National Agriculture Data — From Data Collection to Decision Making' addressed the need to develop a unified national agricultural data system that integrates data on crops, livestock, water quality, and soil conditions to enable more accurate planning, smarter resource management, and stronger national production outcomes.

The session featured HE Eng. Ahmed Khaled, Executive Director of the Agricultural Affairs Sector; HE Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD); and HE Dr. Aisha Ahmed Boushlaibi, Chancellor of the University of Al Dhaid. The session was moderated by HE Amal Abdul Rahim, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services, Chief Al & Innovation Officer at MOCCAE.

Panellists agreed that building an interconnected national agricultural data infrastructure is a cornerstone of sector-wide improvement, moving away from fragmented information sources towards a more integrated and reliable system that provides an accurate picture of resources, production, and challenges, and that supports evidence-based policy and programme design. The session also stressed the importance of collaboration between government bodies, academic institutions, and research centres in creating a robust national knowledge base that enhances sustainability, improves planning, and strengthens the sector's capacity to respond to emerging challenges.

Agricultural Research and Development in the Age of AI

A panel session entitled 'Agricultural Research and Development in the Age of AI' examined how artificial intelligence can reshape agricultural research methodologies, accelerate innovation, and bridge the gap between scientific findings and practical, on-the-ground solutions. The session featured Dr. Fikri Kharbash, Chief AI Officer in UAEU; Dr. Shamal Abdulkhaliq Mohammed, Executive Director of Innovation Oasis – Silal; and Hassan Halawi, CEO of Elite Agro Holding. The session was moderated by Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, National Agriculture Centre. The session moderated by Sultan Al Shamsi, Managing Director of the National Agriculture Centre.

Discussions centred on AI's capabilities in data analysis, productivity forecasting, and resource optimisation as tools for addressing fast-evolving agricultural and food challenges. The session also explored collaborative models involving universities, innovation hubs, the private sector, and relevant authorities, ensuring research and development efforts align with the sector's real needs and deliver measurable impact on efficiency and long-term sustainability.

Speakers emphasised investing in national talent and equipping professionals and students, whose growing interest across disciplines reflects rising awareness of the field's significance, with the skills to leverage AI in service of agriculture.

Data was identified as a critical knowledge asset, offering opportunities to develop innovative solutions to the sector's most pressing challenges. Panellists called for a publicly accessible database within a clear regulatory framework, alongside deeper integration between academia, industry, and farms to enable more precise and informed decision-making.

Universities Hackathon: Empowering the Next Generation of National Innovators

As part of the Educational Track, Day One also marked the launch of the Universities Hackathon under the theme 'The Farm-to-Market Innovation Challenge'. The initiative is designed to connect academic knowledge with real-world challenges in the agricultural and food sectors, inspiring students to develop innovative solutions that strengthen local products and address the demands of the future.

The hackathon reflects a strategic commitment to investing in young national talent as a driving force behind smart agricultural transformation. In line with the event's broader goals of advancing agricultural education, fostering a culture of innovation, and cultivating a new generation of researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs, the initiative aims to equip participants to make meaningful contributions to a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable national food system.

HE Engineer Amal Abdulrahim, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services, Chief Al & Innovation Officer at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said: "The UAE takes a proactive approach to tackle global challenges, designing innovative solutions that turn crises into opportunities for sustainability and future readiness.

The hackathonembodies this spirit by channelling the energy and creativity of young people toward practical solutions that support the targets of the National Food Security Strategy 2051. This is a genuine launchpad where winning ideas move into incubation and development, ensuring their impact reaches farmers and the agricultural sector directly. We firmly believe that this generation understands AI and grasps the deep shifts taking place across supply chains. This is not a generation of bystanders, it is a generation that innovates, leads, and forms new pillars in safeguarding and sustaining our food security."

Knowledge-Driven Content Advancing the Conference's Strategic Goals

Across every session, a single vision came through clearly that the future of UAE's agriculture sector will be built on knowledge, data, innovation, and strong institutional partnerships. In bringing together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and young innovators under one roof, the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition continues to establish itself as the nation's leading platform for shaping an agricultural sector that is smarter, more sustainable, and better equipped to meet the food security demands of tomorrow.