The UAE’s ambitious goal of achieving the top spot in the Global Food Security Index by 2051 hinges significantly on the development of its aquaculture sector. Currently, the country imports 80% of its food, making it imperative to invest heavily in aquaculture to meet its food security objectives. Shaji Baby John, chairman of Kings Infra Ventures, a leading Indian company in sustainable aquaculture technology, emphasizes that aquaculture is the most straightforward and effective path for the UAE to achieve this goal.
With a seafood market valued at $1.4 billion, the UAE has made commendable strides by promoting innovative, technology-driven agricultural practices such as vertical farming, hydroponics, and aeroponics. John notes, “The UAE presents vast opportunities for Indian entrepreneurs. Utilizing water resources beneath the desert sands for aquaculture could be as transformative as the discovery of oil, turning the desert into a hub of economic prosperity.”
John envisions a collaborative effort between India and the UAE, which ranks as the ninth-largest seafood export destination for India. This partnership could revolutionize the global fisheries landscape, offering the UAE food security and establishing it as a premier reprocessing hub for seafood and aquaculture products. For Indian businesses, the UAE provides world-class infrastructure to scale operations and launch global brands. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, the UAE accounted for 2.15% of India’s seafood exports, totalling 1.78 million metric tonnes worth $7.38 billion.
Despite the UAE’s high seafood consumption of approximately 220,000 tonnes annually, over 85% is imported, and aquaculture only supplies 2% of the local demand. This low contribution underscores the need for substantial investment in aquaculture, which the government expects to come from the private sector. “The private sector is crucial to our aquaculture blueprint,” John adds.
John suggests a three-pronged strategy for the UAE: First, attracting innovative aquaculture investors from India who can provide solutions like farm automation, IoT, and drone management for offshore sites. Second, the UAE should invest in India’s aquaculture industry, leveraging 100% FDI norms. Third, establishing the UAE as a major re-export center for fish, requiring investment in fish processing units and achieving global certification standards.
Dubai’s robust logistics infrastructure, with its world-class airports and seaports, positions the UAE favorably as a re-export hub. Kings Infra’s Mariculture Eco Park in Tuticorin, an integrated technology park for aquaculture, could serve as a model for a larger-scale project in the UAE. Kings Infra’s proprietary protocols, SISTA360, along with Probiotic and Mineral products, support sustainable and cost-effective shrimp farming, offering a blueprint for future investments.
In summary, aquaculture represents a vital avenue for the UAE to achieve its 2051 food security target, promising economic prosperity and enhanced food self-sufficiency through strategic investments and international collaborations.
Source-Khaleejtimes.com
