AgTech Park to open in Abu-Dhabi to accelerate sustainable local food production

ADQ, an Abu-Dhabi-based conglomerate with an investment portfolio spanning multiple sectors, has announced that it will build an AgTech Park to accelerate sustainable local food production and distribution. The project is intended to help position the UAE as a hub to supply high-growth markets across the Middle East and Africa, reducing the reliance on premium food imports.

The AgTech Park will be located in AI Ain Industrial City (AAIC) under Abu Dhabi Ports’ Industrial Cities & Free Zone Cluster and is planned to cover 200 hectares. ADQ believes that the strategic location will increase efficiency in processing, storage and distribution of perishable goods and food supplies for the region. Through the progressive tech-enabled infrastructure, the AgTech Park will provide a hub for controlled farming and innovation, subsequently enabling farmers to cultivate high-quality fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. Once up and running, ADQ expects to produce 39 kilotons of fresh fruit and vegetables annually.

For the development and operation of the greenhouse facilities, ADQ has formed partnerships with three controlled-environment agriculture specialists.

Mansour AlMulla, Group Chief Investment Officer at ADQ, said: “ADQ is actively investing in developing the UAE’s agriculture sector into a leading regional food hub, fortifying the resilience of its food system. With a scalable, environmentally sustainable AgTech Park, we will increase the availability of high-quality local produce while leveraging technology to optimise the use of our natural resources, such as water, and protecting our environment. Efficient AgTech solutions for fresh produce can help the UAE achieve higher production levels and lower water usage, unlocking the economic and environmental benefits of having shorter supply chains.” 

Gil Adotevi, Executive Director of Food and Agriculture at ADQ, added: “Whether through advanced tech-enabled greenhouses in the AgTech Park or enhanced traditional farming at Silal, we are positioned to further progress farming in the UAE with a stronger backbone, alleviating investment requirements over the long-term. The strategic project directly complements our sustained efforts to expand local food production utilising the latest technologies that ensure safe, nutritious and sufficient food year-round. To deliver the AgTech Park at such a significant scale, we must work with multiple stakeholders, by partnering with local, regional and international experts in desert farming, agri-parks and controlled-environment agriculture solutions to ensure its success.”