Dubai: Leaders and experts stressed that the food sector is undergoing a significant transformation driven by innovation, with production and distribution methods being redefined through unconventional approaches. The discussions took place during a session titled ‘Liberating Food’ at the Annual Meetings of the Global Future Councils and Cybersecurity 2025, organised by the UAE Government in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF).
According to Emirates News Agency, the panellists explained that while technology holds immense potential, it alone cannot dismantle the monopolies that restrict equitable access to food, particularly amid escalating climate crises and disruptions in global supply chains. Moreover, the session examined growing challenges to global food security and explored strategies to address them. It went on to underscore the opportunities that modern technology offers to expand arable land and enhance the production of improved and safer food products, including lab-grown meat, AI-driven smart agriculture, and the development of climate-resilient crops.
Moderated by Fifi Peters, Senior Anchor at CNBC Africa, the session was attended by Dr. Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) in France; Arnoud van den Berg, Group Chief Executive Officer of Al Dahra Holding; and Alice Ruhweza, President of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Dr. Ismahane Elouafi commented on the growing challenges faced by food security since 2017, which have been exacerbated by successive crises. Despite the immense potential of continents like Africa, she noted that this potential remains largely underutilised due to weak infrastructure, insufficient irrigation water, and the lack of mechanisms facilitating access to markets. She advocated for targeted investment in technology to bridge the gap between potential and actual production, thereby improving efficiency and achieving sustainable productivity.
Arnoud van den Berg highlighted that while innovation is essential for enhancing food security, many effective methods to increase agricultural production already exist and do not necessarily depend on advanced AI technologies. He cited zero tillage agriculture as a traditional practice that has demonstrated its effectiveness over decades. This method enables production with minimal resources by reducing fuel and labour consumption, improving soil health, and enhancing moisture retention, which results in higher crop yields at lower costs. Van den Berg emphasised that the challenge lies in adopting existing solutions and scaling up their usage by addressing gaps in financing and knowledge.
Meanwhile, Alice Ruhweza stressed that the greatest challenge is not the availability of technologies, but their expansion to reach millions of farmers. She pointed out that the innovation chain is currently stalled due to a lack of investment and weak technology transfer. She called for a holistic approach integrating enabling policies, effective investment, and knowledge to empower self-sufficiency, citing Ethiopia’s model of achieving wheat self-sufficiency in three years as an inspiring example.
In conclusion, participants underlined that achieving sustainable and resilient food security requires a comprehensive approach combining technological innovation with political reforms, sustainable investments, and the empowerment of local communities. Experts noted the importance of focusing on the interdependent relationship between food, water, energy, and humans.