Global Food Week to feature Abu Dhabi’s latest date palm innovation, sustainable farming projects

SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)

Abu Dhabi is set to showcase a wide-ranging package of “immediately applicable” projects focused on sustainability and innovation in the date palm sector, with the broader goal of accelerating the UAE’s transition toward climate-smart agriculture.

According to Dr Abdelouahhab Alboukhari Zaid, Secretary-General of Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation, affiliated with Erth Zayed Philanthropies Foundation, the UAE Presidential Court, the projects will be unveiled at the 11th Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition, held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi from October 21-23 as part of Global Food Week. Now in its second edition, the Global Food Week is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President of the UAE, Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of ADAFSA’s Board of Directors.

“We are unveiling a series of immediately applicable projects that support sustainability and stimulate innovation,” Dr. Zaid told Aletihad.

Among the projects to be showcased is “Innovation in the Use of Palm Waste”, a circular-economy model that repurposes fronds, stalks, fibres, and kerbs into high-value products such as organic feed, biofertilisers, handicrafts, and eco-friendly building materials. By industrialising the recycling of secondary palm components into multi-purpose raw materials, the project reduces waste and environmental impact, while creating new economic opportunities for local farmers and entrepreneurs.

Dr. Zaid described it as “a step toward environmental and agricultural security” that supports public-private partnerships and creates opportunities for regional expansion.

Another major project to be featured at the exhibition is the “Carbon Footprint Measurement of the Date Palm Tree”, first launched at COP28.

Lauded as a “pioneering and influential” component of the UAE’s vision for climate-smart agriculture, the publication offers measurement instruments for calculating emissions throughout the palm’s life cycle, from planting to post-harvest. The publication, Dr. Zaid explained, will help producers reduce carbon footprints, meet global reporting standards, and ensure transparent, low-impact supply chains.

“It is not just a research project, but a strategic tool for sustainable resource management,” Dr. Zaid added.

Abu Dhabi: Global Centre for Agricultural Innovation

The 11th Abu Dhabi Date Palm Exhibition itself is the largest edition to date, with 90 pavilions representing 19 date-producing and manufacturing countries.

The event brings together leading producers, exporters, and innovators, reaffirming Abu Dhabi’s growing role in the global date industry.

“This edition transforms Abu Dhabi into a hub for producers, buyers, and supply chains. Coinciding with Global Food Week and the Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition creates a ‘triple platform’ that accelerates deals, tastings, and compliance programmes,” Dr. Zaid said.

By convening key industry stakeholders, the exhibition serves as a specialised international platform for knowledge exchange, exploring best practices and showcasing new technologies to enhance local producers’ competitiveness in global markets.

Dr. Zaid described it as “a strategic step toward cementing Abu Dhabi as a global centre for date palm and agricultural innovation”, with a focus on integrating innovation across the entire value chain. This includes AI-powered smart agriculture, renewable-energy irrigation and drying systems, refrigeration, sustainable packaging, B2B matchmaking, marketing solutions, and institutional purchasing with clear targets.

“Date palms are no longer just an agricultural heritage. They are an integrated development hub leading the transition to climate-smart agriculture, a sustainable bio-economy, and safe food for future generations. Our goal is for Abu Dhabi to become the premier global platform where innovation, sustainability, and smart agriculture intersect.”