Dubai can revive its domestic food production for a sustainable future

Dubai’s history is a wonderful example of human adaptability in the face of environmental challenges. From fertile land nourished by ancient water systems to a dynamic trade hub, and ultimately evolving into a desert city, Dubai’s transformation reflects desertification, climate shifts, and human ingenuity.

Despite early agricultural successes, such as date palm cultivation as early as 2500 BCE, harsh climatic conditions and unsustainable land practices have shaped the city into its current form.

Today, as part of the United Arab Emirates’ National Food Security Strategy 2051, Dubai stands at a critical juncture, seeking to strengthen its agricultural heritage through sustainable farming practices and innovative technologies that address both, the realities of desertification and the broader global climate crisis.

Dubai’s environmental legacy

Around 7000 BCE, Dubai was a lush, verdant region, characterised by mangrove swamps and rich ecosystems that could sustain early human settlements. By 2500 BCE, date palms were cultivated, marking the beginning of agriculture in the region.

However, Dubai’s geographic location within the arid zone of the Arabian Peninsula has always posed significant challenges. High temperatures, minimal rainfall, and the natural scarcity of freshwater sources meant that agricultural success was fragile.

Another human-environment interaction was later found to be economically driven, which let the growth of industries in the region. While early agricultural systems adapted to these conditions, over time, climate change and unsustainable practices began to take their toll.

Water scarcity intensified as natural irrigation sources dwindled, soil salinisation occurred due to over-irrigation, and desertification set in. This phenomenon — the progressive destruction of fertile land due to factors like drought, poor farming practices, and the loss of vegetative cover — has been a global challenge.

Desertification around the globe is causing the annual depletion of around 12 million hectares (46,000 square miles) of land which is due to drought and unsustainable land management practices. This precedent is also applicable to the UAE where 80 per cent of the land area is desert. This rate of desertification has hindered the growth of agricultural development.

This development of a desert landscape was not overnight. It has been caused through a series of geographical, climatic and human actions. High emphasis on urbanisation, oil extraction and similar priorities during the past days of agricultural development has resulted in exploitation of available natural resources, resulting in desertification. This is the primary reason behind Dubai’s reliance on heavy imports of around 80 per cent of its food. Local food production is almost negligible.

Revamping sustainable agriculture

In order to ensure food security, it is important for Dubai to learn from ancient history and opt for innovation-led agriculture so that the city can revive its domestic production for a sustainable future.

First and foremost, emphasis must be laid on desert control technologies to halt and even reverse the ongoing desertification. Nanotechnology involving nano-particle liquids can be a potential solution for reviving mineral-deficient lands. Research has shown that these liquid formulations have the capacity to improve soil structures, water retention, and overall reduction in salinity. In order to reverse desertification, intervention at molecular level is required to re-mineralise the soil, making it fertile and suited for agricultural operations.

For instance, Desert Control, a company based in the UAE, has pioneered the use of liquid nano-clay to restore desert land with the use of nano-tech. This technology has the potential to turn barren desert areas into productive agricultural zones, and it can be one of the suitable interventions for achieving UAE’s food security goals.

Secondly, water scarcity is perhaps the most pressing issue in the UAE’s quest for achieving food security. Dubai’s arid climate and limited rainfall make traditional farming techniques unsustainable. Therefore, the use of technology in the form of hydroponics as nutrient-rich water may be employed which has also seen success in Israel. Vertical farming can be another alternative, which stacks crops in multi-level structures and minimises water use and maximises space. Similarly, the AI led applications on aquaponics and aeroponics can be explored with the involvement of private players.

Thirdly, Dubai’s historical reliance on pearl diving and fishing provides a unique opportunity to reintegrate aquaculture into its modern food systems. The ongoing demand for blue food and potential for sustainable shrimp farming and marine aquaculture can supplement the UAE’s food production. Innovations in closed-loop aquaculture systems, such as offshore fish farms, could help meet the growing demand for seafood without depleting natural fish stocks. The UAE can also look to its pearl farming legacy and modernise these practices to create environmentally sustainable, commercially viable industries. With the existing heritage and use of innovative modern solutions, the UAE can be a major player in sea food production.

Fourthly, sensor-based irrigation, and remote monitoring systems can optimise water use for farms in the desert. At the same time, renewable energy sources, especially solar power, can be harnessed to power desalination plants and agricultural innovations. With abundant sunlight, solar energy is an ideal solution to power the infrastructure needed for sustainable farming in a desert environment.

Another key strategy can be the development and use of climate-resilient crops. Through advances in biotechnology, drought-tolerant crops can be developed, enabling them to thrive in harsh conditions. The use of soil conditioners and organic farming practices will further help improve soil health and increase the resilience of crops, ensuring that Dubai’s agriculture can withstand the extreme conditions of the desert.

The historic transformation to fertile land from desert landscape needs appropriate interventions, considering the future of maintaining the targets of National Food Security Strategy 2051. By embracing innovative agricultural technologies, including nanotechnology, aquaponics, smart water management and AI led digital solutions, Dubai has the opportunity to revitalise its agricultural systems and ensure food and nutritional security for future generations.

Mohit Sharma is Assistant Professor at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa

VK Vidyarthi is former General Manager of APEDA

Views expressed are the authors’ own and don’t necessarily reflect those of Down To Earth