The Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, an independent, research-driven graduate-level university focused on advanced energy, and sustainable technologies, today announced it will feature several innovative research projects focusing on the UAE’s food, energy, and water sectors at the Global Forum for Innovation in Agriculture (GFIA) 2016.

Themed ‘Rethinking Global Food Security: Collaborative approaches to sustainable agriculture innovation,’ the GFIA 2016 will be held from 16-17 February at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC). As a ‘knowledge partner’ for the event, Masdar Institute will host relevant faculty and students at the Innovation Theater. More than 100 new innovative concepts are expected to be presented at GFIA 2016. The organizers of GFIA 2016 are also expected to arrange tours of Masdar Institute in addition to other sustainable locations in the UAE.

Dr. Behjat Al Yousuf, Interim Provost, Masdar Institute, said: “At the Global Forum for Innovation in Agriculture, which focuses on areas of strategic relevant to the UAE, we are pleased to showcase several new innovations in water and agriculture. We believe such events will help increase awareness about the importance of research and development at the nexus of food, water and energy in arid regions.”

Masdar Institute projects that will be featured at the event include one on sustainable aquaculture through the use of microalgae as a food source, production of valuable chemical from locally grown plants, solutions for linking consumers with locally produced food, development of a demonstration  facility to sustainable produce  fuel, food and high value chemicals using only desert land and seawater, ecological assessment of mangrove growth in hyper-arid regions, and the use of nanotechnology for enhancing rainfall in arid and semi-arid regions.

Experts from Masdar Institute will be on-hand to share their experiences and insights at the event. Dr. Alejandro Ríos Galvan, Director, Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium (SBRC), will present a talk titled ‘Desert Farms Powering Clean, Alternative Fuel’ at the plenary theatre on ‘Aquaculture,’ citing the example of the Seawater Energy and Agriculture System (SEAS) project currently being constructed at Masdar Institute.

Hosting more than 500 exhibitors of innovative technologies in agricultural-related fields, GFIA 2016 is expected to see an even greater number of attendees compared to last year’s 4,550 visitors from 85 countries. Speakers at the event will focus on products that can increase yields, save water, improve soil health, or protect the health of livestock.

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