Unprecedented global challenges linked to climate change are exacerbating food insecurity across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia.
Each region faces agricultural challenges including resource constraints of soil health and water scarcity, extreme weather events, access to technology and finance for smallholder farmers, and the dangers of pests and crop disease.
These challenges are highlighting the acute fragmentation of the food supply chain, such as in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which imports 85% of its food.1 Smallholder farmers account for many of the most vulnerable and food insecure populations in the region, with access to finance, safety nets and educational opportunities acting as barriers to their agricultural productivity.2
South Asia, for example, has a significant gap in affordable credit options for climate-resilient farming solutions, with high interest rates and limited credit options preventing farmers from investing in needed technologies.3
The case for innovative and sustainable solutions to support farmers in the region has never been more urgent, and these climate-stressed regions can share and learn from each other. Thus cross-regional collaboration towards a robust framework to boost domestic food production and resilience is paramount for people and the planet to thrive.
The World Agri-Tech MEASA Summit in Dubai provides an annual strategic forum for decision makers and innovators to develop concrete climate-smart strategies for a more sustainable food production system and ensure a food-secure future for these regions.
The overarching theme for the summit on December 9-10 is ‘Building Resilient Agri-Food Systems in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia’. It will bring together over 300 industry changemakers for cross-regional collaboration to empower and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, increasing yield and nutritional value of food, while reducing negative environmental impact through more sustainable technologies.
A central discussion point will be the transformative force of digital solutions in accelerating the future of agriculture. Funding, critically, is fundamental in the deployment and scalability of agri-tech innovation globally. Challenging financial markets have seen agri-food tech deals and investment slow down, with investors more cautious, but still with a strong interest in biotechnology, digital solutions and fintech.
Cross-regional leaders including Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Emirates-WWF, Silal, ADQ, Technoserve India, Omnivore, Netafim, among others will share ideas, novel solutions and prioritize actions to tackle food insecurity across arid and desert farming environments.
Distinguished thought leaders in the industry speaking at the summit include:
Thought leadership highlights
Geared for agri-food tech professionals wanting to secure the insights and contacts essential to their business success, the programme weaves expert panels, case studies, small group roundtables and start-up showcases.
Opening the discourse around improving the region’s domestic food production, FAIRR Initiative , Silal, Bayer Crop Science, and Abu Dhabi Food Hub will explore the potential of scaling nature-based solutions and adopting novel technologies to meet these needs – and the intergovernmental cooperation and financing models required to facilitate this.
Diving deeper into digital solutions, leaders from AGRA, Pepsico, Nadec and AgriEdge will discuss the implementation of cutting-edge technologies in precision agriculture, like remote sensors, robotics and data management platforms to improve yield and productivity for farmers across the MEASA region.
Ensuring the survival of homegrown agri-tech innovation, while also attracting new talent into the region, is a key priority for enabling commercialization and scaling of novel technologies.
KAUST, ASRT, and Abu Dhabi Investment Office will discuss how local universities and centres of excellence feed into this, as well as broadening the geographical reach of regional accelerators and incubators for maximum impact.
A discussion aptly entitled 'Identifying the Silver Lining in Agri-Tech VC Funding' will see leading venture capital investors from across the region debate strategies for the start-up ecosystem to maintain a competitive edge for funding. Speakers from Omnivore, Catalyst Fund, Dana Venture Builder, Gulf Islamic Investments and Natural Ventures will deliberate investment highlights and share which categories within agri-tech they are most optimistic about.
Alongside the main stage panel debates, smaller breakout sessions allow delegates to tailor the content to their priorities, and boost targeted networking with like-minded attendees:
- Start-up pitching sessions each day will see dynamic early-stage companies including Grow for me, Salam Kisan, Eco Bristo, KissanAI, Perisa, and HydroWatt Zero from Kenya, Ghana, Georgia, India and beyond present their solutions on stage to the summit’s influential audience. They will be joined by investors from VentureSouq and Grover Impact Ventures for a quick-fire round of questions & answers.
- Themed roundtable discussions for agribusinesses, food companies, equipment manufacturing and investment are an ideal setting to ask questions, share insights and exchange contact details. Covering everything from regen ag to the future of Controlled Environment Agriculture and unlocking venture capital funding. Hosts include: Climate Resilient Africa Fund, Vertical Future, Omnivore, Bayer Crop Science, among others.
Agri-food leaders and innovators from across MEASA and beyond joining the summit in Dubai this 9-10 December include:
Complementing the World Agri-Tech experience, the summit platform launches on desktop and mobile app two weeks before the summit for early networking. Delegates can connect with each other in advance, using the easy calendar management to book private meetings, and to build up their contacts directory with valuable new business acquaintances.
The summit website has full details of speakers, full programme and registration.
Download the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit Dubai brochure.
When: December 9-10, 2024
Where: The Conrad Dubai
Find out more about venue information, nearby hotels and travel tips to Dubai.
References
1. Strategy&. How GCC countries can ensure their food security.
2. AFN. Agrifoodtech funding drops 12.5% YoY in H1 2024.
3. World Bank Group. Food System Resilience.
