The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), in collaboration with the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), has launched the National Agricultural Initiative for the Adoption of Climate-Smart Crops in the UAE on the sidelines of the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026.
The initiative aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global leader in climate-adaptive agriculture by transforming scientific research into practical field solutions that support water sustainability and national food security, in line with the National Food Security Strategy 2051.
Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said the initiative marks a shift in agriculture, placing food security at the centre of national priorities. She described it as a move toward food sovereignty driven by innovation, with climate-smart solutions tailored to the UAE’s environment to ensure a resilient, sustainable system. She added that Climate-Smart Crops can ease water scarcity, boost productivity, and equip Emirati farmers with modern agricultural skills.
Dr Tarifa Alzaabi, Director-General of ICBA, described the initiative as a milestone in translating research into practical agricultural solutions, building on more than 25 years of research into Climate-Smart Crops that can withstand salinity, heat and water scarcity.
The initiative centres on climate-adaptive crops such as foxtail millet, proso millet and sorghum, which use up to 50 percent less water than traditional grains while maintaining high yields in temperatures above 45°C. Beyond resilience, these Climate-Smart Crops offer strong nutritional value and align with rising demand for sustainable food.
In the livestock sector, Blue Panicum grass has been introduced as a water-efficient fodder that can thrive in saline and drought-prone conditions.
Launch of Climate-Smart Crops
The rollout of Climate-Smart Crops will take place in two phases. The first includes 45 field trials across UAE farms to test crop adaptability and irrigation efficiency, alongside training 45 farmers and equipping 50 agricultural extension officers through a Train the Trainer program.
The second phase will focus on commercial scale-up, with private sector partnerships to expand production and improve access to local and international markets.
A prototype product, Resilience, was also unveiled to showcase how climate-smart crops can be integrated into everyday food, bridging scientific research with practical consumption and supporting sustainable product development.
The Climate-Smart Crops agro initiative is expected to generate opportunities across retail, food processing and agricultural services, while strengthening collaboration between government, research institutions and the private sector. Overall, it reinforces the UAE’s push to build a sustainable agricultural ecosystem and enhance long-term food security through innovation and strategic partnerships.
