DUBAI: Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum has launched a specialized zone that will help the UAE achieve its food security goals.

The new Food Tech Valley will feature research and development facilities to develop advanced farming technology, and incubate innovative agribusiness ideas.

The Dubai ruler said the development will triple the UAE’s food production.

“We launched the first phase of Food Tech Valley, a new modern & vibrant city that will serve as a global destination for start-ups and industry experts in the food ecosystem,” he said on Twitter.

“It will host R&D facilities, innovation center, smart food logistics hub and areas for vertical farming,” the UAE leader added.

The UAE’s food trade exceeds 100 billion dirhams ($27.2 billion) annually, he said, describing the Gulf country as a global food logistics hub.

The Gulf region has been exploring ways to improve sustainability in regards with food production.