Abu Dhabi To Host Major Agricultural Events In 2016

Abu Dhabi will be the venue of two major agricultural events in 2016, which are expected to attract over 500 exhibitors of innovative technology, making Abu Dhabi home to the largest agricultural event in the region For the third consecutive year, and with the participation of more than 300 agricultural innovations, Abu Dhabi is set to host The Global Forum for Innovations in Agriculture, GFIA, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC, from 16th-18th February 2016.

Last year’s edition was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, ADFCA.

Supported by some of the world’s leading players in the field of sustainable agriculture, GFIA works alongside organisations such as the United Nations, World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID, African Union and the Clinton Climate Initiative to ensure that its outcomes continue to accelerate the development of solutions to feed nine billion people by the year 2050.

GFIA 2016 will be collocated with VIV Worldwide, that will be bringing its brand of highly successful livestock production events to the Middle East for the first time. VIV MEA joins VIV Europe and VIV Asia as the third international hub in the organiser’s portfolio of major business exhibitions for the animal protein sector.

"The hosting of these important international events in Abu Dhabi articulates the priority of the UAE to drive a global dialogue on food security and climate resilience. We live in a water-constrained region and we must use these forums to enhance our contribution to the development and implementation of smart solutions for increased food production," said Mohamed Jalal Al Rayssi, Chairman of the Organising Committee for GFIA and Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA.

"GFIA has become the flagship event for agricultural innovation across the world and we are hugely excited to launch VIV MEA alongside such a forward-thinking and influential event," says VIV Worldwide Project Manager, Ruwan Berculo.

"The timing is absolutely right to bring VIV to the Middle East." Berculo said. "Growing urbanisation, rapid growth in the tourism sector and increasingly globalised diets are seeing a significant increase in the demand for livestock products in the region. These countries want to produce food and not just import it, so investments in the food production sector are increasing all the time."

First launched in The Netherlands in the 1960’s, VIV events have a long history of excellence in serving the animal protein industry and have become a world standard for top quality in innovative livestock production. With established VIV events also in China, Thailand, Turkey and Russia, VIV shows host over 1,000 international exhibitors and visitors from over 140 countries.

"The last edition of GFIA in Abu Dhabi saw 1,437 orders made for sustainable agriculture technologies. This will lead to thousands of farmers improving productivity and food security back in their home countries," said Mark Beaumont, Project Director of GFIA.

Emirate:  Abu Dhabi

Date: Jul 1, 2015

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