Abu Dhabi is rapidly scaling up its agriculture, fisheries and livestock sector in 2025, with new data from the Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA) revealing strong growth across the emirate. According to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), new licences surged by 29% in the first nine months of the year, reaching 152, while active licences rose 13.5% to 1,425 by the end of September.
Al Ain emerged as the primary driver of this expansion, accounting for 61.8% of all new agricultural licences issued. The region’s dominance highlights its strategic importance in supporting Abu Dhabi’s long-term agricultural transformation. The number of permitted on-farm activities has now expanded to 145, covering agricultural, industrial and recreational operations.
Mohammed Muneef Al Mansoori, Director General of ADRA, emphasized the sector’s progress, noting that government policies and private-sector innovation are boosting resilience.
“These initiatives are accelerating the shift toward smart and sustainable agriculture, strengthening food security and supporting sustainable economic development in the emirate,” he said.
Abu Dhabi’s rise mirrors wider agricultural momentum across the BRICS bloc. Member states are accelerating efforts to expand exports and modernize production through smart-farming technologies and environmentally sustainable practices.
Egypt, for example, is working to achieve full meat self-sufficiency within five years under its Egypt Vision 2030 strategy, which prioritizes subsidised fertilisers, soft loans, technical support and advanced irrigation systems. Ethiopia also reported US$120 million in revenue from meat exports in the last fiscal year, driven by improved livestock breeds, workforce training and enhanced quality controls.
In India, Gujarat continues to set records in the fisheries sector, with exports climbing from US$75 million in 2001 to over US$715 million in 2023–2024 — nearly a tenfold increase. Strategic investments in marine infrastructure and the state’s growing role in India’s blue economy have fueled this rise.
