Partnership to accelerate AI-driven and climate-smart farming technologies for farmers across the region
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Presidential Court has committed a $1.5 million grant to an innovative agricultural fund administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), reinforcing global efforts to accelerate technology-driven agricultural transformation and strengthen food security across Asia and the Pacific.
The grant, provided through the International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court, was formally announced during ADB’s 59th Annual Meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, as part of a broader cofinancing agreement aimed at scaling proven, high-impact agricultural technologies throughout the region.
The initiative seeks to embed evidence-based agricultural innovations into national farming programmes, enabling governments and farmers to adopt smarter, more efficient, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Qingfeng Zhang, Senior Director of ADB’s Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office, said the partnership comes at a critical time as farmers across the region continue to grapple with rising fertilizer prices and increasing volatility in global agricultural markets.
He noted that the investment forms part of ADB’s wider efforts to reduce both fertilizer usage and input costs through precision agriculture technologies capable of identifying where and when agricultural inputs are most effectively needed.
The technical assistance under the initiative will be guided by the Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale), an international platform supported by the UAE and the Gates Foundation.
The programme also forms part of Abu Dhabi’s AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development, launched in 2025 to expand access to artificial intelligence-powered farming tools for agricultural communities worldwide.
In addition, the initiative benefits from support provided through the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific since 2024.
The agricultural innovation fund promotes the adoption of advanced farming solutions across Asia-Pacific, including satellite monitoring systems, AI-powered weather forecasting, and precision agriculture technologies designed to optimise the use of fertilizers and other farm inputs.
ADB stated that these innovations will help farmers improve productivity while reducing input costs and enhancing resilience against global market disruptions and climate-related challenges.
Alongside technology adoption, ADB continues to support regional food security through emergency financing programmes, coordinated fertilizer procurement initiatives ahead of planting seasons, and expanded access to credit, trade finance, and working capital for farmers and agribusinesses.
The institution is also backing policy reforms aimed at reducing export restrictions and strengthening regional food security frameworks such as the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve.
Khalfan Al Matrooshi, Advisor at the International Affairs Office of the UAE Presidential Court, said international cooperation remains essential to strengthening global food security and building resilient agricultural systems.
He noted that Abu Dhabi’s AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development is designed to convene strategic partners, financing, and expertise to accelerate innovation and deliver sustainable outcomes for farmers globally.
