Initiatives to Stimulate Agriculture Technology Innovation in Abu Dhabi

Transcription

1 Initiatives to Stimulate Agriculture Technology Innovation in Abu Dhabi 3-4 November, 2015 Mohamed S. AlHammadi, Ph.D. R&D Director, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority

2 What is innovation? Innovation is a broad concept. The OECD defines it as the implementation of: A new or significantly improved product (good or service), or process A new marketing method, or a new organizational method in business practices, workplace organization or external relations.

3 Agricultural Innovation Model in Abu Dhabi We adopted the "Interactive Innovation Model, which focuses on forming partnerships and linking among farmers, extension, researchers, private sector, and other stakeholders. Science Based Tech. Private Sector Research Extension Farmers

4 Knowledge/Technology Transfer System Feedback Results

5 Knowledge/Technology Transfer System Advantages: Generate new insights and ideas Focused solutions Quicker put into practice This approach stimulate innovation from all sides and help to target the research agenda

6 Abu Dhabi Government Philosophy Inspiration + Ambition + Courage Funding Support Capitalize Idea Research & Creation

7 Research & Creation R&D Division was established by ADFCA in 2010 as the first body in Abu Dhabi Emirates emphasizing on modernization, creation, research and development in field of food and agriculture. R&D 5 year strategy: Enhancing the capacities of R&D and innovation according to world-class competitive standards. Determining to be an active player in supporting research related to efficient production from the existing resource.

8 Funding Support 1. Khalifa fund for Enterprise Development Established on 2007 with a total capital investment of AED 2 billion ($ 545 M). Aimed to support and empower the nation s budding business talent. 2. Emirates Foundation An independent organization set up by government of Emirates of Abu Dhabi. It facilitate public- private funded initiatives to improve the welfare of youth across UAE

9 Funding Support 3. National Research Foundation "Researchers Database", includes 5483 researchers from 57 accredited universities worldwide. Aimed to connect researchers and those interested in scientific research and to support research efforts. The objectives: To build an internationally competitive innovation system and culture of entrepreneurship in UAE. To contribute to high-quality research education and raining, and foster career opportunities for early career researchers, particularly UAE nationals.

10 Capitalize Idea Takamul (from Ideas to Application) Arabic meaning of Integration Established by Abu Dhabi Technology Development Committee in A program to support innovation in the UAE.

11 Awards & Prizes that Encourage Innovations 1. Khalifa International Date Palm Award Established under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Aimed to attract both regional and international attention to the date palm tree and to highlight it as an essential part of the sustainable development process. Categories: Distinguished Research/Distinguished Producers/The Best New Technique/The Best Development Project/Distinguished Figure.

12 Awards & Prizes that Encourage Innovations 2. AGRA innovator competition Established by ADFCA in 2015 Target Students at High school age years To stimulate young people s spirit of initiatives and creativity in the field of agriculture. To raise awareness in good agricultural practices. Generation will be able to cope with a fast-changing world

13 Awards & Prizes that Encourage Innovations 3. The Sheikh Zayed Prize for Pioneering Innovations in Agriculture The UAE announced the institution of a prestigious global award for agricultural innovation at the Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture (GFIA) ''The Award aims to encourage scientists and researchers to raise the quality and efficiency of researches in agricultural applications'.

14 Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture Launched on 2014, Abu Dhabi, UAE. The key theme Driving Innovation for an Agricultural Revolution GFIA highlighted the sustainable agriculture initiatives being planned and deployed in the UAE, facilitate knowledge transfer, and demonstrate available investment opportunities. The GFIA agenda was designed by a steering committee of 20 international experts in the fields of academia, R&D, science, industry and investment. Coming GFIA 2016 on th February.

15 Year of Innovation 2015 The UAE Government declared 2015 Year of Innovation and announced a new National Innovation Strategy with the aim of becoming one among the most innovative nations in the world within a 7-year period. The National Innovation Strategy will focus on fostering innovation in seven main sectors, renewable energy, transport, education, health, technology, water and space.

16 Adopting Smart Agriculture 1. Smart Irrigation System: The systems monitor weather, soil conditions and automatically adjust the irrigation schedule. The goal is to maximize water productivity by optimizing crop yield and minimizing the amount of water used in irrigation. It showed higher vegetables yield and significant lower irrigation water consumption as compared to local farmer practices. Vegetables yield increase by 5%, Irrigation water Saving is 43%

17 Adopting Smart Agriculture 2. High Tech-Greenhouses Research on water saving techniques (high-end technology and directly applicable techniques) suitable for the Middle East climate. It serves to provide information to growers and other stakeholders on the application of innovative techniques for protected agriculture, with the goal to reduce water use making the sector more sustainable.

18 Adopting Smart Agriculture 3. Honey Bees Development An Emirate Bee is a genetic line of Apis mellifera that bred in the UAE for the harsh environmental conditions. The bred can tolerate high temperature and survive during the summer.

19 Adopting Smart Agriculture 4. E-Diary Smart communication tools in extension ipad will be implemented and the agricultural engineers will be able to: Automatically locating farms ID Downloading farms information (e.g. type of crops) Farmers will receive all advice on their smart phone.

20 Thank you