How Will AGWA Impact Global Food Security by 2045?
So, His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has just given the green light to launch something called the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) cluster. It’s a big project in Abu Dhabi that’s designed to tackle global food shortages and water scarcity.
AGWA is led by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. The idea is for this cluster to become a global hub for new kinds of food and technologies that make better use of water resources. It’s not just for local suppliers but also for exporters, aiming to create more commercial opportunities and support global food security.
Sheikh Khaled emphasised how important this cluster is for the UAE’s food and water security. By using technologies and innovation solutions, AGWA aims to boost sustainable local production and meet the rising demand for food and water both regionally and internationally. This is all part of the UAE’s bigger plans for food security by 2051 and water security by 2036.
AGWA is going to support industry leaders by leveraging new technologies like alternative proteins, algae, and advanced water purification methods. It’s a massive industry, worth AED77.4 trillion, and by 2045, it’s expected to contribute AED90 billion to Abu Dhabi’s economy, create over 60,000 jobs, and attract AED128 billion in investments.
His Excellency Ahmed Qasim Al Zaabi, the Chairman of ADDED, called AGWA a game-changer for diversifying the economy and achieving the UAE’s food security goals. Abu Dhabi has been working on sustainable food production since the late 1960s. For instance, in 1969, the late Sheikh Zayed set up the first network of greenhouses on Saadiyat Island using advanced technologies to ensure sustainable food production. AGWA continues this legacy of innovation and sustainability.
Al Zaabi also pointed out that Abu Dhabi offers vast opportunities for investors with its supportive business ecosystem, strong infrastructure, government incentives, and connectivity to international markets.
Badr Al-Olama, Director General at ADIO, added that AGWA addresses global challenges and opens up new investment opportunities, helping Abu Dhabi move forward with its economic diversification strategy.
Globally, over 70 percent of freshwater is used for agriculture, and by 2050, we’ll need to increase agricultural production by 50 percent to feed a population of over nine billion, which will also require more water. Abu Dhabi has long been aware of these challenges, and AGWA is a big step towards addressing them by investing in future-focused economic clusters.
AGWA is actually the second such cluster launched by ABU Dhabi. The first one, launched in October 2023, is called the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster, which focuses on future mobility solutions. These initiatives are all part of Abu Dhabi’s broader efforts to drive economic growth, diversification, and job creation, while also fostering innovation in critical sectors like food and water production.
