Rachid is currently the Delivery Manager of the Regional Initiative on Small-Scale Family Farming at the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa, and Coordinator of the RNE’s initiative on agrifood system innovation. Served previously as Senior Project Officer with the Science Council of the CGIAR; Director of the Diversification and Sustainable Intensification at ICARDA, the leader of rice drought frontiers at IRRI, and as principal scientist at ICRISAT. Technical expertise and management leadership in international agricultural development, with more than 30 years’ experience in agriculture and crop production systems, and in particular problems of adaptation to climate change, resilience of dryland farming systems, resources interactions within farming systems. Lead role at the CGIAR Science Council secretariat in coordinating strategic foresight and research evaluation; competencies in R&D management, with emphasis on the technical, socioeconomic, institutional and regulatory aspects relating to agricultural and rural development.

Mark Essam Zahran studied Master in Arts of Architecture at ETH Zurich in Switzerland & UNAM in Mexico-City. His master thesis aimed to answer the question: „How to integrate Vertical Farming within the Swiss landscape?“. Another research paper he published is called: „Edible City Zurich 2050: A city with a basic self-sufficient nutrient & vitamin rich food supply” He aims to Integrate Vertical Farming into the smart cities of tomorrow and establish this technology in a large scale also in the region MENA, where water scarcity and food security are urgent topics. For this very reason he founded Yasai.

Yasai is an ETH Spin-Off from Zurich, Switzerland and offers Vertical Farming as a Service based on circular economy. Yasai was founded in January 2020. We designed the largest Vertical Farm of the world by transforming a former mining landscape of a multinational company. Yasai Blocks, a modular, circular & automated vertical farming system, enables a scalable business model, that is applicable in any context or climate. We help our customer to grow more with less, anywhere, anytime!

Deepak is a serial social entrepreneur who created one of the most respected AgriTech company, DigiAgri.

DigiAgri uses cutting-edge technologies for improving profitability and productivity of small and marginal farmers on one hand and providing valuable insights to agriculture ecosystem participants on the other. Deepak was honoured as Technology Pioneer 2018 by World Economic Forum and is currently a member of various World Economic Forum communities and is also member of Expert Panel of World Economic Forum on Digital Transformation. He was awarded as top 10 Agropreneur by Future Agro Challenge and was also amongst top 100 Social Entrepreneur listed by National University of Singapore and DBS Foundation.

Deepak is a regular speaker across the globe and a well-published author. He has also moderated and Chaired many events related to Agriculture, Digital Transformation and Global Business. He is also host of web series “Fire Side Chat with Champions” in which we interview global business leaders. He has been profiled by reputed publications/media including Forbes, Nikkei, Channel News Asia, YourStory, Nasscom Research, Inc42, Business Insider to name a few.

Digi Agri is a company focused on using cutting-edge Information Technology for the betterment of smallholder farmers using innovative business models. Digi Agri deploys Big Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain and Cloud Computing to not only improve both profitability and productivity of the smallholder farmers but also make agriculture value chain (both input and output side) more transparent and efficient. Digi Agri has pioneered path-breaking Sustainable Agriculture Platform to enable farmers to be more profitable by growing more crop using minimum water, “Per Drop”, lesser land, “Per Acre”, and reducing cost of cultivation, “Per Dollar”.

Digi Agri is a Technology enabled initiative for farmers that empower them through Agripreneur (a village level entrepreneur, VLE) or directly through power of mobile and smart devices, delivering them Information, Expertise, and Resources, to increase their Productivity & Profitability hence improving their Standard of Living.

Digi Agri is a collaborative platform that strives to combine Digital Transformation Technologies (Big Data, Machine Learning, IoT, Blockchain, Computer Vision etc.), Innovative Business Model (Agriculture Platform As A Service), and Focused Human Efforts (Agriculture Insights, Products, and Services Delivery through Agripreneurs) to serve smallholder farmers.

Digi Agri helps Agriculture Ecosystem players like Government, NGOs, AgTech Companies, Commodity Buyers, Crop Insurance Companies, Banks & Financial Institutions, Extension Service Providers, Co-Operatives & FPOs, Agri-Input Companies to deliver their services/products through data-driven decisions keeping farmers at the center.

Digi Agri is currently enriched by data based on 43,000 farmers, 44 crops, 48 agro-climatic zones and 218 different parameters

It is our mission to empower our customers in cultivation from start to finish, so they can provide healthy and spectacular quality greens to consumers; while at the same time being able to integrate the entire cultivation process within their investment and be profitable.

We do this by combining different engineering, technological and horticultural disciplines, to offer Vertical Farming systems with sensible automation and optimal circumstances for growing crops. Our technology is specifically designed for vertical farmers that want to have a truly profitable vertical farming business.

Art van Rijn is CEO and owner of Artechno Growsystems. Born and raised in “Het Westland” the heart of the horticultural center of the Netherlands, Art has been surrounded by growers his entire life. Founded Artechno Growsystems in 1988 after studying Business Engineering and Technical Engineering.

With a rich background in horticulture and characterized by a drive to innovate, Art has ventured and revolutionized a multitude of new markets in the sector. Under Art’s leadership Artechno Growsystems grew to be one of the top 5 worldwide suppliers of automated Hydroponic systems. Art has always had a strong belief in the concept of smart and sensible farming and in 2015, together with the Artechno Growsystems team, laid the groundwork for the AVF+ line of vertical farms. This all culminated into the Automated Vertical Farm Junior, Compact and Scale in 2017 of which 6 have now been built.

Seta Tutundjian, is a visionary and strategic social change champion for sustainable and climate compatible development. She has led the formulation and implementation of several complex, multi- sectoral, transformational change programs that promoted a greener and more sustainable economy and culture, as well as more efficient and responsive organizations. This involved building alliances and partnerships; policy and institutional reform, formulating strategies and tactical communications and advocacy initiatives; mobilizing resources; and organizing grass-root community action.

Ms. Tutundjian has extensively worked in the water, environment, energy and agricultural sectors, and programs she led are used as case studies for best practices. She is a recipient of several awards including the prestigious Superior Honor Award by the Government of the United States of America in 2012. She joined ICBA in 2014 as the Director of Partnerships and Knowledge Management and in 2018 assumed the role of Director of Programs. Prior to that she worked for 15 years for the United States Agency for International Development.

Majed Halawi is the VP of Growth at Pure Harvest Smart Farms. Halawi manages business operations and expansion ensuring the rapid and sustainable growth of Pure Harvest. Halawi oversees the deployment of farms and supporting infrastructure across the region. Halawi began his career in engineering focusing on infrastructure design, construction, and finance with AECOM and Arup. He then turned to management consulting at the Boston Consulting Group.

Halawi holds an M.Sc. Engineering from Stanford University and B.Eng. from McGill University.

Sheikh Dr. Majid Sultan Al Qassimi qualified as a doctor of veterinary medicine at Saint Istvan University in Budapest, Hungary. He started his work as a veterinarian in the zoo and conservation field after graduating. He moved into an administration role as a Director to oversee the Terrestrial Biodiversity and conservation activities at the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi. He is now, the Chief Veterinary Officer of the UAE and currently Advisor to the Minister regarding all things Food and Agriculture, at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, UAE. He has a keen interest in engaging the youth to further career choices in STEM subjects, and as one of the first veterinarians from his country, he plays a vital role in supporting veterinary education and awareness, through public speaking, advising the university curriculum.

His work as a policy maker has brought him to the center of Food Security, now looking to create clear direction for the UAE and the middle east on how technology, sustainable agriculture and traditional practices may create a food production revolution in the region. After Developing the Food Diversification strategy for the UAE with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Dr. Majid has the ability to see both a holistic “all of country” approach to Food Security and development of local food production, as well as dive down into specific technical subjects to navigate challenges and opportunities. He sits on the boards of Accreditation Authorities, UAE Food Safety Committee, and on multiple other Food, Animal and Agriculture Boards.

Farmers Review Africa, is a bi-monthly Agriculture publication that gets distributed directly to various stakeholders within this industry decision makers in and around Africa as a trusted source for essential information on dairy, livestock, ranching, crops and more that will not only maintain and increase output of quality product, but also cultivate a successful business. With a strong online presence and a readership of over 30 000, Farmers Review Africa team are happy to work with you to keep your brand in front of our audience of end users and specifiers of farming, services, products and solutions and related industries. (sales@farmersreviewafrica.com)

FooDiva (www.foodiva.net), a Dubai-based restaurant review website, that launched nine years ago, has collected a dozen awards. Feeding a gap in the market for a website dedicated to impartial, intelligent restaurant reviews, FooDiva brings you a critique on where to dine and what to eat. Aside from restaurant reviews from FooDiva herself and her guest reviewers, expect food features, chef interviews, drink stories, culinary travel and competitions. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, FooDiva has been running a pro bono social media campaign in support of the F&B industry – #UAERestaurantsUnite – which in its first month, surpassed five million impressions.

iGrow.News is the longest-running International online news publication specifically focused on the Indoor Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture industry.

The Indoor Farming industry has relied on iGrow News for timely, accurate, unbiased news and insights.

The iGrow News portal covers industry-relevant topics including Indoor Vertical, Hydroponic, Aeroponic, Aquaponic, Greenhouse, Rooftop, Shipping Container Farming, Residential Systems, Education, Finance, Innovation, Sustainability, and Technology.

We offer free publishing of press releases for all companies in our industry.

iGrow News reaches over 67,000 International unique visitors, to its website, every thirty days.

As one of the pioneers of “Farm Technology Publications” in the industry, AGRI MECH provides a stellar opportunity to continue to bridge the trade gap between industry key players and the prospective buyers of their products & services.

By acquiring the English language for publication, AGRI MECH has now crossed the geographical boundaries of more than 36 countries of the world. This made it the only global and one of the most dedicated monthly magazines which cover the most discussed issues and articles on the latest technologies in the farm technology domain. Our more than 350,000 readership covers the Dealers, Distributors, Importers, Exporters, Agriculture Machinery Manufacturers, Government and Private institutes, IT Companies, Event Organizers, Trade Associations and Trade Councilors in more than 36 countries which includes Africa, Asia, Europe, and Middle East regions.

Dr. Ismahane Elouafi is Director General of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, based in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

She is internationally known as a strong advocate of alternative approaches to ensuring food security and nutrition in marginal environments, including use of neglected and underutilized crops and non-freshwater resources in agriculture.

Ranked among the 20 most influential women in science in the Islamic world, she has initiated and promoted a number of programs and efforts to empower women in science in the Arab world and beyond.

Dr. Elouafi has nearly two decades of experience in agricultural research and development in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

She is a recipient of several prestigious awards and accolades, including the National Reward Medal by His Majesty Mohamed VI, the King of Morocco (2014), and the Excellence in Science Award from the Global Thinkers Forum (2014). 

She has been leading ICBA since 2012 and has overseen the development of the center’s long-term strategy focusing on marginal environments.

Ameena has 27 years extensive and diverse experience in water and power industries working in different utilities (FEWA, ADWEA, MASDAR and ENEC) in UAE. During her experience she managed sustainable water management system, integrated databases, Asset management, plant and networks design, water and wastewater regulatory compliance issues, and siting and water strategy planning. Since 2004, she has been a chartered Water and Environmental Manager via Charter Institution of Water & Environmental Management (CIWEM) in UK. Her education background includes a B.Sc. In Geology from Kuwait University, a M.Sc. in hydrogeology from South Carolina University in USA, a diploma in Electrical Supply Management certified from Cambridge University in UK, and a PhD in Civil Engineering from Brunel University London in UK. The title of her thesis is:

“The Food-Water Dilemma of Agriculture in Arid Regions: Assessing Abu Dhabi Water Options for Domestic Agriculture”.

Valoya is a provider of high end, energy efficient LED grow lights for use in crop science, vertical farming and medicinal plants cultivation. Valoya’s LEDs have been developed using proprietary LED technology and extensive plant photobiology research that includes more than 600 large scale plant trials done in the past decade. The expertise accumulated enables Valoya to provide its clients with reliable, optimal growth protocols for most plants cultivated worldwide.

Valoya’s customer base includes 8 out of 10 world’s largest agricultural companies and countless indoor farms such as Growing Underground (London), GROWx (Amsterdam) and many others including in Kuwait, Qatar etc..

Mr. Lars Aikala is the Co-Founder and CEO of Valoya, a LED industry pioneer company, having been in the market for over a decade and having served hundreds of companies in over 50 countries around the world with their premium LED solutions. His curiosity for the interactions of plants and light and the endless possibilities of light as a key driver of plant growth is what created the company. Mr. Aikala is invested in driving change that contributes to global food and medicine production security, through his company, Valoya. ‘In these times, more than ever, it is important we innovate and find those efficiencies to ensure high quality produce is available and affordable to our global population’ – Mr. Lars Aikala.

Accumulated experiences in managing various food and agriculture investment projects across Arab countries, specifically speaking, supervising successive stages of project investment cycle. In this context, Rasheed has been a team leader in preparation of more than (50) feasibility studies covered both agriculture and livestock sub-sectors; chairman / board member of (10) large investment companies; prepared of around (300) review articles and technical studies focused on food production & processing; Technical Manager in preparation of Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy 2040 in Oman, prepared series of food security studies in Oman, Iraq, and Sudan; provided many consultancies at regional and international organizations.

He served Arab Authority for Agriculture Investment and Development as an Assistant to the President for Technical Affairs, COO of Oman and Emirate Investment Holding Company; and currently he is Advisor of Agriculture Investment and policies, MAF, Oman & Advisor of Agriculture and Fisheries Investment, Agriculture and Fisheries Development Fund, Oman.

With his academic background at College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad holding Dean Assistant for Scientific Affairs as well as Dean; Supervised many MS & PhD students; member of (3) consulting Bureaus; President of Iraqi Society for Food Science and Technology. This combination between academia and investment leads to achieve many successful stories toward establishment lucrative investment projects in many Arab countries. He obtained BS in Agriculture Sciences, MS in Animals Sciences and PhD in Food Sciences. In addition he studied MBA. In conclusion, food security can be only efficiently accomplished by smart and profitable investments.

Farah Chakhachiro is the managing director for Gracia group and leading the educational department in Gracia farm through her initiative “grow peace”. Farah createda program to raise awareness about mental health, morals and values education through nature. This program aim to raise a new agricultural generation and targets all ages starting from schools to universities as we had more than 13000 students around UAE and internships from many universities. Creating smart green houses for kids is the link between old traditional farming, and the new agritechnology farming. Students are now more involved in planting, healthy eating, and techniques to decrease their stress and anxiety.

Mariam Eid is a Food Technology Engineer, for the last 15 years she is Head of Agro Industries Department at the Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture. The main mission of the Department is the food safety inspection on agro-food processing with a team of more than 50 persons.

Charged with Agro Industry Mariam Eid is a member of National food Safety Committee and Infosan Emergency Contact Point. She represent her country in International Olive Council (IOC), and she is focal point with International Organization for Vine and Wine (OIV).

At regional level Mariam Eid, Under SAFE project, is leading an Arab Initiative in Codex Alimentarius aimed to strengthening the participation of Arab Countries in Codex Food Standards Setting.

Currently, Eng. Eid is one of the Codex Alimentarius Commission Vice Chair.

H.E. Hussain serves a dual role as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the American University of Sharjah Enterprises (AUSE) and as the CEO of the Sharjah Research, Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP). Both these entities were established through royal decree by the Ruler of Sharjah, who also directly appointed H.E. Hussain to these responsibilities in order to create collaborative long-term relationships between industry, Academia and the public sector, fostering an ecosystem of enterprise and innovation.

Previously, H.E. Hussain served as the Director General of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a Member of the UAE Chamber Federation, and GCC Chambers for 8 years. He was responsible for the overall management and operations of the Chamber including the provision of services to its members. In this role, he launched several strategic economic initiatives for Sharjah such as the SME Act, Sharjah Export Centre, Sharjah Commercial Arbitration Centre, and the Sharjah Business Forum.

H.E. Hussain has held leadership roles at leading regional and international companies such as the Royal Dutch Shell Group, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC), and several Dubai Holding entities. He currently serves as honorary board member of both, the Tatweer Forum and of Maastricht University in the Netherlands, and as chairman of the Emirates Business Council for Sustainable Development. He also serves as a board member of the Sharjah Entrepreneurship Center (Sheraa).

H.E. Hussain possesses an MBA from the American University of Sharjah and a BA in Economics and Communications from Seattle Pacific University in the US.

Dr. Dionysia Angeliki Lyra works as a Halophyte Agronomist at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai United Arab Emirates since 2013. She has been working on evaluating halophytic germplasm in inland and coastal desert areas exploring multiple uses (food, feed, biofuel production, etc.). She is also working on modular farming systems that integrate agriculture with aquaculture utilizing low-quality water resources such as the reject brine from desalination to grow halophytes. After running a successful project funded by USAID in 2016, Dr. Lyra was announced as one of the 29 global innovators for EXPO2020 of the first phase of the EXPO Live program in 2017 and received a grant for the project “Inland and coastal modular farms for climate change adaptation in desert environments”. The project was a finalist under the category Farm Innovation Award–Agriculture and Food Security / Climate Change Innovation Award at the AGRAME exhibition in 2016 & 2017. She is currently working with national and international partners to scale up halophytes in farming areas in UAE and Egypt to create halophytic-based food and feed products. Her vision is to develop, through successful partnerships, integrated farming systems tailormade to the needs of farming communities living in salinized areas, utilizing low-quality water and land resources to grow halophytic crops enhancing food, nutrition, water and income security.

Dr. Khalil Ammar has a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Utah State University, USA, and MSc in Water Resources Management from IHE-Delft, Institute of Water Education, the Netherlands, and BSc in Civil Engineering from An-Najah National University, Palestine. Dr. Ammar has 24 years of experience in water resources management. He is working as Program Lead, Sustainable Natural Resources Management, and a Principal Scientist in hydrology at the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in Dubai. Since he joined ICBA in the year 2009, he has led several researches for development works such as: 1) “Collaboration Program Euphrates and Tigris”, a five-years Sida funded programme to support collaboration between the riparian countries of the Euphrates and Tigris basin. The programme helped in providing a scientific platform to exchange knowledge and understanding about important water issues and the way forward to improve water management and agricultural water productivity in the basin; 2) Rehabilitation of Irrigation and Drainage project, Advisory Services for Implementation of component C – “Enhancing Monitoring and Data Automation” in Kazakhstan which includes supervising installing automated systems to control rising groundwater levels to protect the root zone in farmed areas and allocation of water from main canal systems to the farms; 3) United Arab Emirates Agricultural Strategy which included matching the best crops to be grown in different land and water zones according to groundwater quantity and quality and soil suitability; 4) United Arab Emirates Water Conservation Strategy”; 5) Developing Federal Environmental Standards to Manage Discharges to the Marine from Desalination Plants” for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, United Arab Emirates; and 6) Oman Salinity Strategy. His contribution to different national strategies and plans helped the decision-makers take the right decisions that brought change in water and agricultural sectors. Before joining ICBA, he worked for the Palestinian Water Authority as Head of Planning Department where he contributed to several national and sectoral plans that helped the establishment of a reliable water sector in Palestine.

Mohamed Aissaoui is the CEO & Founder of My Farm. The 5th generations of farmer of his family, with an educational background in the engineering sector, Mohamed founded My Farm using the low-Tech and the new-Tech to optimize the organic food production safely. He is working on circular systems witch is a key to reach the food security goals we have in the UAE. My farm  give time to grow to the plants, fruits and the vegetables in a forest soil without disturbing the eco system, quality is one of the  priorities. 

For that, he did a selection of heirlooms seeds growing in the desert with less energy, more than 100 varieties are almost adapted to this climat naturally and Mohamed is every time trying to push the limits of those seeds. 

Mohamed is also a member of the UAE beekeepers and use different plants and flowers to feed and save the bees naturally in Dubai. Feeding the bees and the knowledges, because at the same time, volunteers are learning  about  farming.  

Education is one key, Mohamed teach the best practices, he got the name of ‘’ The Plants Doctor’’ in Al Serkal Avenu, people sent him plants to rescue during workshops . After Al Serkal, Mohamed started as a consultant ’’The Farms Tour’’ trough the UAE to support and help farms switching to the organic system.

At this time, Mohamed is preparing the Farm in Dubai to open soon with all the activities.

Dr. Mohamed Ali is currently an Associate Partner at DinarStandard, he is expert in Agri-Food Sector, with a strong background in the MENA Region for more than 20 Years. He worked in manyfields of the F&B sector (Food Security, Agriculture, Trading, HORECA, and Retail).

Skilled in Market Research, Brand building & Marketing Strategy, Budget Forecasting, and Pricing Analysis. Strong Commercial & Financial professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused in International Investment and Trade from French University- Bordeaux & Lille.

After his PhD, Dr Mohamed journey started in France in consulting at Polaris Conseil, he guided European firms to invest in the MENA region. Then in Egypt, in the private sector where he was appointed as Project Director for a French-Egyptian JV in Agri-Food sector.

He also participated in setting up a JV company for inspection and control of food items in Egypt, General Control. Then he moved to UAE and worked in many F&B Groups such as Americana, Al Hashimiya Group, Emirates Business Group, and Emirates international Group. In his last position he was in charge of the Food Security Strategy for the UAE and he is member of many think tank for the future of food in MENA region.

Yazen Al Kodmani was brought up in the UAE in a household of agricultural experts. With an educational background in finance, his career has primarily been in the food and agricultural industry. He started his career in 2011 by joining Al Darmaky, an agriculture company specialized in greenhouse construction and irrigation networks. Since 2016, he has been part of the founding team at Emirates Bio Farm where they have been working to contribute to the UAE’s food security agenda by driving local and organic fruit, vegetable and egg production.  He is currently the operations manager at Emirates Bio Farm where they have spent the last four years building arable soil in the UAE desert which successfully produces over 60 varieties of products in Al Shuwaib, Al Ain.

One of Yazen’s most notable achievements is in agri-tourism where he has established a fully integrated visitor center at Emirates Bio Farm. The visitor center educates the public about the importance of environmental protection through organic farming and illustrates how to create sustainable food systems in the UAE, making it a top destination for UAE residents and tourists alike. He has also recently established 3Y Agtech, an agritech consulting firm to address the regional food security challenges which brings together the expertise of experienced consultants, developers and farmers.