Agritech investments and incubators: Nurturing the next generation of food innovators in Dubai

Economic Times

5 days ago

Dubai's agritech landscape is experiencing a transformative evolution, moving beyond traditional desert innovation narratives. Today, a dynamic ecosystem of startup success stories, robust incubators, and strategic investments is reshaping the food technology sector.
The food security imperative
Despite ranking as high as =21st globally in the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) according to the most recent 2022 data, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) — and much of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) — continue to import over 85% of their food. This reflects the region's ongoing dependence on external supply chains as of early 2025.This has prompted long-term measures to reduce import dependency, unifying GCC regional strategies to develop agricultural, livestock, and fishery projects that strengthen food security and sustainability. The UAE's approach has been strategic, with agriculture and fisheries now contributing 1.8% to gross domestic product (GDP), and the number of Gulf companies in these sectors growing by 20%.
Government-backed incubation ecosystem
At the forefront of Dubai's agritech incubation ecosystem stands in5, TECOM Group's entrepreneurship incubator, which has been instrumental in nurturing innovation. 'Start-ups are the inherent problem-solvers we need to unlock sustainable growth,' stated Majed Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President at TECOM Group.The launch of in5 Science in 2023, in collaboration with Dubai Science Park, represents a significant milestone in the UAE's science-focused entrepreneurship landscape. This initiative aligns with the UAE's emphasis on sustainability, in line with the Road to Net Zero by 2050, COP28, We the UAE 2031, and National Food Security Strategy agendas, creating substantial opportunities for innovation, investment, and entrepreneurship across the science sectors.Complementing these efforts, Food Tech Valley has emerged as another crucial player supporting agritech startups and facilitating connections between innovators and investors.Among the early movers actively leveraging this ecosystem is Sokovo Nature Farms—an agritech innovator integrating advanced technologies into sustainable food systems from the heart of Dubai. 'We at SOKOVO Nature Farms are deeply aligned with Dubai's vision of becoming a global hub for sustainable food production,' Sumedha Sharma, CEO of SOKOVO Nature Farms, tells EconomicTimes.com. Sharma credits the emirate's supportive ecosystem, particularly Food Tech Valley, explaining how it has played a crucial role in positioning the company as a trusted source of 'locally grown, high-quality produce.'Strategic investment and funding mechanismsThe Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has established itself as a key financial enabler in Dubai's agritech sector, according to official statements. The bank's specialised AgriTech Loans Programme supports advanced farming technologies and precision agriculture practices, reinforcing the government's commitment to innovation.
At the Future 100 Forum, Shaker Zainal, Chief Business Officer at EDB, noted that in 2023, EDB's financing to the industrial sector rose by 80%—rising from AED 2.4 billion in 2022 to AED 4.3 billion—bringing the total loan book to AED 8.7 billion since the rollout of its strategic agenda in 2021. Further reinforcing this commitment, EDB's 20-week AGRIX accelerator programme, supports the UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051, equipping farmers, agribusinesses, and technology providers with cutting-edge solutions, workshops, and hands-on training in sustainable farming practices.
The Mohammed bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) has proven particularly effective in driving startup success, with MBRIF members securing more than AED 2.8 billion in financing and playing a role in the creation of over 800 jobs in the UAE, according to Majed Al Suwaidi.
Digital agriculture and data-driven Innovation The role of digital agriculture in Dubai's food security strategy is foundational. As global food technology trends evolve, six rising foodtech megatrends have been identified by the France-based Digital Food Lab, including the resilient farm, sustainable proteins, the smart supply chain, and food automation.Sanjay Borkar, CEO and Co-Founder of FarmERP, highlights the transformative potential of digital agriculture: 'Digital agriculture is not just complementary—it is foundational to the UAE's food security strategy. The UAE's National Food Security Strategy 2051 sets a clear direction: produce more with fewer resources, ensure resilience to climate volatility, and enhance local production capabilities.'FarmERP's implementation in the UAE demonstrates tangible results. According to Borkar, a prominent agritech startup in the UAE managing berry production achieved 'a considerable improvement in yield consistency and a high reduction in water usage' through the FarmERP Agribusiness Cloud platform. Another case involving a leading fresh supply chain company resulted in 'real-time visibility into procurement, logistics, and payments while empowering farmers through a mobile app in the Arabic language.'
Breakthrough technologies and desert Innovation Dubai's agritech ecosystem has witnessed remarkable technological breakthroughs, particularly in desert agriculture. Indian entrepreneur Chandra Dake introduced innovative sand technology, enabling agricultural cultivation in both desert and saline-alkali environments through his company, Dake Rechsand.This 'breathable sand' technology, commonly referred to as 'magic sand', reduces water requirements by 80% while delivering optimal yields. Dake's company is also developing a forest of 11 million trees across Dubai's barren desert, representing the world's first desert-based afforestation project of this scale funded through private investment.
'We are not only reclaiming deserts but also transforming desert sand, which is otherwise deemed unfit … into a material of significant utility,' Dake was quoted in the media.
The India-Dubai agritech corridor The collaboration between Indian entrepreneurs and Dubai's agritech ecosystem represents a significant dimension of the sector's growth. Indian innovators such as Dake and Borkar are bringing technological expertise and innovative solutions tailored to the UAE's unique agricultural challenges.FarmERP's success in the UAE market exemplifies the potential for India-Dubai collaboration in food security. 'At FarmERP, we have strategically evolved our technology to align with these specific local challenges and opportunities,' Borkar tells EconomicTimes.com. 'Our solutions incorporate artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), remote sensing, and satellite analytics to deliver real-time decision support. We've developed specific modules for Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), vertical farming, hydroponics, and greenhouse operations—agricultural models gaining traction in Dubai and across the UAE.'As Dubai seeks to amplify its agritech capabilities through global partnerships, Indian agritech players emerge as natural collaborators. 'India's deep expertise in agriculture, engineering, and technology plays a valuable role in supporting SOKOVO's mission to advance the UAE's Food Security Strategy 2051 and Vision 2040. By collaborating with Indian agritech partners—particularly in areas such as automation, sensor technology, and nutrient management—we can enhance the efficiency and scalability of our vertical farming operations. These partnerships allow us to adopt cost-effective, proven technologies that strengthen our ability to produce clean, local, and reliable food year-round,' says Sharma. In turn, this supports the UAE's broader goals of reducing import dependency, diversifying the economy, and building a resilient, homegrown food ecosystem, she adds.
Looking forward As Dubai positions itself as a global hub for agritech innovation, the convergence of government support, private investment, and technological excellence creates a compelling environment for the next generation of food innovators. The ecosystem's maturity, demonstrated through visible startup successes and measurable economic impact, suggests that Dubai's agritech sector is well-positioned to meet the challenges of feeding a projected global population of 10 billion by 2050.The public-private partnerships and cross-border collaborations reflect a comprehensive approach to food security, embracing sustainability, technology, and innovation as core pillars of the UAE's economic diversification strategy.
Disclaimer - This article is a part of a featured content series on Business in Dubai.
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