During a visit to the UAE, Minister for Agri-innovation and Climate Adaptation Jo Churchill outlined the UK government's ambition to enhance agricultural innovation and technology.

The visit drew on the UK Presidency's legacy at COP26, which highlighted agriculture and food systems as a critical priority for the climate agenda, and looked ahead to COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE. Minister Churchill emphasised the significance of investing in innovative technology to advance sustainable food production, especially given the fact that global food demand is expected to climb by 40% by 2030.

Speaking at the Climate Agriculture Innovation Mission at the Food for the Future Summit. To foster innovation, the Minister stressed the need of unlocking investment and collaborations. This will help farmers and producers produce more nutritious, climate-change-resistant, and disease-resistant food.

The Minister visited some of the UAE's most impressive low-impact and high-tech food production facilities, including the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, an international research centre focused on food security and sustainable lives for communities living in marginal settings. The Minister also paid a visit to the Jubail Mangrove Park to learn firsthand how nature-based solutions may help combat climate change.

During her visit, Minister Churchill emphasised the need of countries like the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates sharing their agri-innovation expertise in order to accelerate global climate goals. From horticulture with vertical growing systems and water conservation techniques to aquaculture with precision farm management techniques that employ sensors to optimise fish health and growth, the UK boasts one of the most highly respected agricultural technology sectors in the world.

The UK government's endeavour to assist farmers in increasing their profitability while reducing their environmental effect is centred on technology and innovation. As a result, Defra funds such as the Farming Innovation Programme and the Farming Investment Fund are available to help support this goal.

Jo Churchill, the Minister for Agri-innovation and Climate Adaptation, said, agriculture and food systems are high on the global climate agenda, and science and innovation can help the agri-food industry meet the problems posed by climate change and rising food demand.

The COP26 promises are in line with the UK's domestic Net Zero goal, which aims for 75 percent of England's farmers to adopt low-carbon practises by 2030. Furthermore, farmers and land managers will be paid for delivering environmental advantages alongside successful food production, creating space for nature, and improving animal welfare under the new environment land management plans.