A freezone in Dubai has set up an agri trading platform that will connect Indian farmers with the food companies in the UAE, as the Gulf Arab nation seeks to boost its food security amid disruption of supply chains due to Covid-19 pandemic.
The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre’s platform known as ‘Agriota’ and developed with India’s CropData Technology would enable trading in fruits, vegetables, spices, pulses, cereals, oil seeds and condiments.
The United Arab Emirates and many other Gulf states import the bulk of their food, mainly because their dry climates make crop & livestock cultivation difficult. They also depend on overseas supplies of medical, consumer & industrial products.
DMCC’s chief executive officer, Ahmed Bin Sulayem in a statement said that The UAE has “the ultimate goal of positioning our country as a world leading hub in innovation-driven food security".
It is important to mention that the government has taken several measures to ensure regular or uninterrupted access to supplies since the Coronavirus spread all around the world. Moreover, a food-security council manages official efforts, including the stockpiling of essential goods. The country is also looking to farm rice to decrease its reliance on purchases from abroad.
