UAE launches national initiative for climate-smart crops to boost food security

The UAE has launched the National Agricultural Initiative for the Adoption of Climate-Smart Crops, a major government-led programme aimed at strengthening food security, reducing import dependence, and building a more climate-resilient agricultural system.

The initiative was announced during the Emirates Agriculture Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Al Ain and is being led by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in collaboration with the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA).

The programme focuses on promoting crops that can thrive in the UAE’s harsh climate while using significantly less water. Key crops include millet (such as foxtail and pearl millet) and sorghum, which require up to 50% less water than conventional grains and can maintain strong productivity even in temperatures above 45°C. These crops are expected to provide practical solutions to water scarcity while supporting stable food and feed production.

Officials said the initiative is designed to diversify the national food basket, enhance self-sufficiency, and transform scientific research into practical field solutions for farmers. It also aims to equip Emirati farmers with the knowledge and tools needed to adopt climate-smart farming methods that improve productivity while preserving natural resources, particularly water.

The initiative aligns with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051 and reflects the country’s broader sustainability agenda of integrating climate adaptation into agriculture. By prioritising drought-resistant and salt-tolerant crops, the UAE aims to create a more resilient local food production system while positioning itself as a global model for climate-adaptive agriculture in arid environments.

Climate-smart crops are becoming a real food-security play across arid geographies, and the UAE initiative signals where Gulf agri-food investment will flow over the coming decade. Our supply-chain-and-operations and nature-based-solutions teams help clients evaluate what climate-smart agriculture means for Scope 3 sourcing and food-supply resilience.