The United Arab Emirates has pledged $ 2 billion to help develop a series of “food parks” in India to address food insecurity in South Asia and the Middle East. These investments could triple the region’s Indian food yields in just five years.
Parks would connect farmers, processors and retailers using advanced climate technology to minimize waste, save water and maximize yields, focusing initially on crops including potatoes, rice and onions. These four countries will also develop renewable energy projects in India, including wind and solar power plants. The projects will be supported by the Israeli and American private sectors.
UN agencies warned this month that the Ukrainian war and climate change could lead to unprecedented levels of hunger and mass migration. In addition to benefiting local farmers, food parks would help reduce trade barriers and harmonize food safety standards, said Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra in New Delhi. It would also provide India with the ability to compare their perishable foods for global exports and allow Indian products to access strategic Gulf markets, starting with the United Arab Emirates, Kwatra said.
