The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has launched its “Farm to Factory” framework during the Make it in the Emirates 2026, outlining plans to strengthen food value chains and expand food manufacturing industries across the emirate.

Introduced under the theme “From Farm to Factory… Abu Dhabi Creates Food Value,” the initiative aims to position food industries at the center of sustainable agricultural development by strengthening connections between local production and manufacturing, improving economic efficiency, and supporting long-term food security.

ADAFSA said Abu Dhabi’s food production sector generated $3.6 billion in 2023, accounting for 36% of the UAE’s total food manufacturing output.

The authority added that the strategy is backed by more than 25,000 farms and 23,000 livestock holdings that supply raw materials to the emirate’s food industries. The field crop sector alone recorded production worth $79.2 million in 2023.

Food-related businesses have also continued to expand, with newly registered food establishments rising 42.2% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier. Abu Dhabi currently hosts 26,360 active food establishments, with SMEs representing 98% of the sector.

To support further growth, ADAFSA said it has issued 500 commercial licenses covering approved economic activities on farms, helping strengthen direct connections between producers and markets.

According to the authority, Abu Dhabi’s food processing sector is expanding across dairy, dates, honey products, and processed meats, while also supporting more than 400 productive families involved in traditional food industries.

At the same time, ADAFSA is advancing circular economy initiatives that convert agricultural waste and crop residues into animal feed, organic fertilizers, and bioenergy. The authority is also supporting the development of value-added products such as date syrup, cheeses, dried meats, and bee products.

The framework also seeks to reduce food waste by redirecting surplus produce into secondary products, such as jams and pickles, alongside broader efforts to recycle agricultural and animal waste.

As part of its technology strategy, ADAFSA said it is accelerating the adoption of Agriculture 4.0 technologies that could increase production by up to thirtyfold while reducing water consumption by 60%.

Research initiatives include the Agricultural Genome Project and the UAE Good Agricultural Practices program, which allocates $2.7 million annually to support farmers, livestock breeders, and beekeepers.

ADAFSA added that the initiative is supported by legislative, technical, and workforce development measures, including the approval of 145 farm-based economic activities and efforts to align local standards with international export requirements through the National Codex Committee.

The authority also said specialized training programs have been introduced for farmers, SMEs, and productive families, while 2,833 recruits have been trained to operate food facilities during emergencies across 48 sites in the UAE.

ADAFSA added that smart inspection systems have helped raise public confidence in locally produced food products to 88%, with further efforts planned to strengthen compliance with and enforcement of food safety standards.