Home Banking & Finance EDB launches AGRIX Accelerator to boost UAE food security

EDB launches AGRIX Accelerator to boost UAE food security

The AGRIX Accelerator will provide participants with access to advanced agricultural technologies, strategic business insights and sustainable farming practices

EDB launches AGRIX Accelerator to boost UAE food security
The initiative aligns with EDB’s broader mandate to provide AED 30 billion in financing to priority sectors by 2026. Image credit: Supplied

UAE’s Emirates Development Bank (EDB) has launched the AGRIX Accelerator, an initiative that seeks to transform the country’s agricultural sector by equipping farmers, agribusinesses, and technology providers with specialised financial solutions and cutting-edge agritech tools.

Over a 20-week period, the AGRIX Accelerator will provide participants with access to advanced agricultural technologies, strategic business insights and sustainable farming practices.

Through a combination of expert-led workshops, hands-on training, and personalised mentorship, participants will develop essential skills to drive innovation and growth in the sector. The programme also focuses on empowering smallholder farmers to adapt to environmental changes, improve agricultural efficiency, and build a collaborative community focused on sustainable agriculture.

“By offering specialised programmes and fostering innovation, we aim to enable the adoption of advanced technologies that will drive the sector’s evolution, ensuring the UAE’s position as a leader on the Global Food Security Index,” said Ahmed Mohamed Al Naqbi, the CEO of EDB.

“The AGRIX Accelerator is central to our mission of supporting food security as one of our five priority sectors. Through tailored financing solutions and partnerships with industry advisors, we are accelerating the UAE’s journey towards becoming a global leader in agricultural innovation.”

EDB offers tailored financing solutions, such as the UAE’s first-of-its-kind agritech loans programme, which provides local producers, agribusinesses, and technology providers with flexible financing options.

The financing solutions underscore the development bank’s commitment to fostering a resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem in the UAE by enhancing access to capital and promoting innovation.

The initiative aligns with EDB’s broader mandate to provide AED 30 billion in financing to priority sectors by 2026, promoting economic diversification and sustainable growth.

By focusing on technology adoption and capacity building, the AGRIX Accelerator strengthens the UAE’s capacity for food self-sufficiency, reduces import dependency, and solidifies its position as a global leader in agricultural innovation.