In Abu Dhabi, a senior delegation of signatories
of the Declaration of Abu Dhabi (DecAD), will
gather at the Global Forum for Innovations in
Agriculture, which runs from 16-17 February at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and will feature more than 300 next-generation agricultural solutions that could shape the future of sustainable farming around the world.
The panel meeting at the GFIA will include representatives from GLOBALG.A.P., Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform, GS1, Bayer CropScience, BelOrta and ADFCA.
The collaboration will provide updates on how its novel technological solutions can help facilitate greater harmonization among public and private initiatives, ultimately increasing worldwide adoption of safe and sustainable production practices.
Launched in the UAE capital in 2014, DecAD is a joint collaboration between governmental and intergovernmental institutions, standards owners, retailers, manufacturers, agricultural product and service providers, farmers, and farmer organizations.
Roberta J. Anderson, Secretariat for the Declaration of Abu Dhabi., said that the DecAD's aim is not to revolutionise farming by implementing new certification standards, but to transform it and optimise the work of existing agricultural sustainability standards.
For growers wishing to gain insights into the future of safe and sustainable agriculture, DecAD's panel at the GFIA will offer an overview of some of today's biggest barriers to the expanded use of safe and sustainable production practices, and discuss its approach for novel solutions.
The panellists will discuss the benefits of the United Nation Global Compact's Blue Number Initiative and a new Standards Map facility from International Trade Centre.
While the Blue Number Initiative provides farmers with an online registry that encourages them to expand and showcase their sustainable farming practices and exposes them to potential buyers, Standards Map allows growers to voluntarily choose from 170 standards and build their individual business plan for sustainable trade ensuring food safety, traceability, farming biodiversity, workers' health, safety, and animal wellbeing.
DecAD's ultimate goal is to encourage safe and sustainable production practices that can provide quality food for a growing world population within the earth's natural limitations.
Registration to attend GFIA can be made at www.InnovationsInAgriculture.com.