How agritech can help farming during the pandemic

How agritech can help farming during the pandemic

The coronavirus outbreak has highlighted the need for further technological transformation in the agriculture industry to help secure food in the Middle East.

ABU DHABI | May El Habachi

The agritech market is expected to experience a post-COVID boom as startups introduce new technologies and solutions to help farmers and individuals source food locally in a more efficient manner.

In April this year, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) poured $100 million into four agritech companies in the emirate, while UAE-based Pure Harvest secured $100 million for future expansion, making it MENA's largest investments to date in this niche. Recently, Jordan also saw the launch of its first agritech accelerator, HASSAD.

"Agritech is all about using resources more efficiently and making an impact in terms of yields and business,“ says Jonathan Reyes, co-founder and CEO of Jordan-based Tulua.

TURNING PROBLEMS INTO OPPORTUNITIES

As the most water-scarce region on Earth, the Middle East faces unique challenges in agriculture. Home to 6% of the global population, it only has 1% of the world's fresh water resources, according to a recent World Bank report.

"Water alone is a big factor in how I see agritech impacting Middle Eastern agricultural challenges,“ Reyes says. "With 75% to 85% or more of its