Owen Morgan
Over the past decade, The United Arab Emirates has spent $18.9B annually on agricultural imports which make up approximately 90% of the country's food. Food security is a rising concern in the UAE, as detailed in National Food Security Strategy 2051. Increasing local production is a large part of their plan, and due to the environmental conditions in the UAE and their push for sustainability, food production through hydroponic systems is a very viable option.
Hydroponics is a process of growing plants in a closed-loop system that does not require fertile soil, utilizes less water, and can operate even in extreme weather conditions. In addition to the rising demand for seafood in the UAE, the Emirates has laid out plans for massive investments in their Sustainable Aquaculture Policy in 2019. In September 2024, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi put these plans into action, launching their sea cage aquaculture project.
Aquaponics is imperative for the UAE as it combines aquaculture and hydroponics into one closed-loop system, growing fish and produce simultaneously in a sustainable manner. However, aquaponic systems do require a constant energy supply. By incorporating solar panels, the carbon footprint is reduced significantly, supporting the Emirates' push for solar growth. Solar-powered aquaponics have the potential to solve pressing issues in the UAE while supporting the country's values and investments.
The UAE is perfect for solar-powered aquaponics for a number of geological, political, and economic reasons. First, due to climatic and geological factors, the Emirates has little to no capacity for traditional agricultural practices. There is limited water, high solar irradiance, minimal fertile soil, and weather conditions too harsh for the majority of vegetation. As a result, the UAE imports 90% of its food from around the world. Through trade agreements, the UAE relies on other countries to feed its citizens. The supplying countries receive financial compensation and more favorable positions in regional matters like security, trade, and investment cooperation.
Decreasing their reliance on other countries through local production is essential for the UAE’s international autonomy. Furthermore, agricultural imports make up a sizable portion of government spending. Through investments in aquaponics, the UAE government would be able to lower import costs and reallocate that money to food production subsidies. Through these subsidies, the UAE can set in motion a cyclical agricultural process that would eventually strengthen food security, enhance national sustainability, increase economic growth, and boost its international autonomy.
There are currently a couple of small and large-scale aquaponics systems in the UAE; however, a shift towards greater food security is particularly critical, given the rising regional tensions. The US and the UAE have a key strategic partnership; however, a sizable portion of food imports to the UAE come from Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon, all of which have varied levels of opposition to the US government. With rising geopolitical tensions in Israel and the approaching Presidential election in the United States, there is a possibility of new sanctions being imposed, some of the UAE's key food-supplying countries may shift towards war economies, and regional conflict will disrupt the supply chain, negatively impacting the UAE’s food supply. In this context, the widespread application of solar-powered aquaponics is crucial for strengthening bilateral relations and supporting a key U.S. ally.
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