This year we are pleased to support the UAE FoodTech Challenge for its second edition. Presented by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Tamkeen, in association with ASPIRE, the FoodTech Challenge seeks to find the next wave of technology innovations that are on the cusp of transforming traditional agriculture practices, efficiently and sustainably. We had a chat with the FoodTech Challenge team to learn more about this impactful initiative.

Can you please briefly introduce the FoodTech Challenge to anyone who doesn’t know what it is and what its impact is on the UAE and the Middle East?

The FoodTech Challenge is a global competition that seeks to find the next wave of technology innovations that are on the cusp of transforming food and traditional agricultural practices efficiently and sustainably. We are focused on early-stage start-ups, and invite innovations related to two critical areas: ‘food production’ to address the availability and abundance of food and explore ‘next gen’, nutrient rich alternatives, and ‘food loss and waste’ to ensure sustainability across the food supply chain.

Guided by the UAE National Food Security Strategy, we believe some of the most effective and sustainable ways to increase food production and reduce food loss and waste in our region is through technology and innovation. Although we focus on the particular UAE Food Security priorities, we believe solutions for our region can have wide reaching applications across the world and contribute to solving global food security challenges.

 

The tracks that the FoodTech Challenge focuses on are ‘food production’ to address the availability and abundance of food and explore ‘next gen’, nutrient rich alternatives, and ‘food loss and waste’ to ensure sustainability across the food supply chain and the planet more broadly. Could you explain why these tracks are important for the UAE?

With regards to food production, the UAE has limited arable land, a hot climate and freshwater scarcity, all of which present immense challenges to grow food efficiently. UAE also has a specific and visionary target outlined in the UAE National Food Security Strategy to increase yield improvement from new technology-enabled production by 30% and increase production of strategic food items by 15%.

In terms of food loss and waste, The UAE’s high level of economic development and high standard of living is associated with high per-capita food waste. This presents an opportunity to tackle loss and waste across the entire food supply chain. UAE has a visionary target to reduce food loss and waste by 50% by 2030, and we think technology along with consumer behavioral changes will play a huge role in reaching this target.

What agri-food-tech technologies do you think are most relevant to the UAE and the Middle East at large, and why?

Innovative technologies across the two focus areas (producing food efficiently and reducing food loss and waste) are all crucial for sustainable food security in the UAE. Given the limited land and water resources and arid climate, innovations in novel farming methods, hydroponics, seed genetics and precision farming are especially valuable in our region in order to grow food sustainably. In tackling food loss and waste, innovations targeting loss in production level, such as AI-powered traceability platforms, and reducing waste in consumer level, such as smart packaging or circular economy initiatives, can play an important role.

What do you hope to see in the next 50 years in the field of AgriFoodTech innovation, for sustainability and beyond? 

We hope to see new innovations from around the world that can transform the agrifoodtech space to become more efficient, sustainable and affordable. We also expect the global foodtech startup ecosystem to grow and address food security challenges, not only in the UAE, but globally.

Here in the UAE, we are especially excited to see new, innovative ways of growing food sustainably, nutrient rich alternative foods to become more accessible and less food being lost or wasted across the value chain. We hope that the solutions we find in the UAE can support other countries that share similar agricultural challenges, including developing countries.

 

Why should food-tech startups keep an eye on the United Arab Emirates and as a destination to grow their businesses?

Being a young, dynamic country with innovation deeply embedded in its DNA, it is the perfect place for innovators to be based and grow. FTC participants, and all innovators alike, will benefit greatly from the UAE’s world-class legal, financial, innovation and civic infrastructure. And of course, the UAE’s strategic location at the crossroads of the world makes it an excellent business hub with access to world’s leading markets.

 

What do you expect from this year’s FoodTech Challenge finalists and winners?

We expect to see some very innovative ideas that can address UAE Food Security priorities. So far, the interest in FTC and the applications we received have exceeded our expectations, and we are truly excited to review each and every one of them with the help of our expert judges.

But most importantly, we want not only our winners and finalists, but all participants, to engage with the UAE agtech ecosystem, consider UAE as a launchpad for their ideas, and take advantage of all the support mechanisms we are offering for them to have a soft-landing here and succeed in the UAE.

As you partner with different local entities to bring the FoodTech Challenge to life, what role do you think collaboration plays in creating a more resilient and sustainable Food System and in nurturing the local tech scene? 

At FoodTech Challenge, our partners are really at the center of how we design and run our challenge. We recognize that food security is too complex of a task for one entity to tackle. That is why we try to mobilize the full ecosystem. We are extremely proud to be supported by key stakeholder partners in the UAE, from sector experts to innovation accelerators, and know that our participants will have all the resources they need to succeed and grow in the UAE.

 

For anyone interested in applying to FoodTech Challenge, where can they get more information?

We encourage everyone to visit the web to find out more information on the challenge and apply. You can also follow the Linkedin and sign up for the bi-monthly newsletter here.