Growtech Middle East 2026 Puts UAE Farmers and Sustainable Agriculture at the Heart of Growth.
Dubai: Growtech Middle East, previously known as Agra Middle East, will be held at Dubai World Trade Centre from October 26 to 28, 2026, with the UAE National Agriculture Centre (NAC) participating as the event’s Strategic Government Partner.
The partnership will place increased emphasis on the future of Emirati farming, agricultural innovation and food security, while supporting efforts to strengthen the capabilities of UAE farmers and improve farming standards across the country.
NAC and Growtech Middle East will also promote the wider adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, technologies and innovative solutions.
Through the collaboration, farmers and members of the broader agricultural community will have opportunities to engage with government entities, industry specialists and international solution providers, helping connect the UAE farming sector with expertise and technologies that can support its continued development.
At the event, NAC will also showcase its efforts to improve market access for Emirati agricultural products and raise national farming standards through initiatives such as UAE Good Agricultural Practices (UAE G.A.P.) and the Integrated Farmer Centres project.
UAE G.A.P. is designed to improve production quality and efficiency while supporting more sustainable farming operations across the country.
The Integrated Farmer Centres project, meanwhile, is being implemented by NAC in partnership with government and private-sector organisations. It provides farmers with an integrated range of services covering crop collection and logistics, post-harvest operations and marketing.
The initiative aims to improve marketing efficiency, expand market access for locally produced agricultural products and help farmers reduce production losses.
Under the UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051, the country continues to invest in advanced agricultural technologies, sustainable production systems and more resilient food supply chains.
Against this backdrop, improving access to practical knowledge, relevant technologies and stronger industry partnerships is expected to support local food production and the continued development of the UAE’s agricultural sector.
Focus on agricultural technology and food security
Held under the theme “Powering the Future of Agriculture Growth and Food Security in the Middle East,” Growtech Middle East will showcase technologies and innovations across a wide range of agricultural sectors.
These will include seeds and seedlings, plant nutrition and fertilisers, crop protection, greenhouse technologies, irrigation systems, agricultural machinery, poultry, animal health, livestock and aquaculture.
Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, Director General of the National Agriculture Centre, said UAE farmers remain central to the country’s agricultural ambitions and its efforts to achieve sustainable food-security targets.
He said NAC is working to build an ecosystem that gives farmers greater access to the knowledge, technologies and partnerships needed to grow sustainably, strengthen smart local food production and contribute to the wider development of the sector.
Al Shamsi said the partnership with Growtech Middle East will provide an important platform connecting local farmers and others interested in agriculture with decision-makers, industry leaders, researchers and international experts.
The event will also provide an opportunity to showcase practical and innovative solutions suited to the UAE’s varied farming environments and climate-related challenges.
By connecting different parts of the agricultural ecosystem, Al Shamsi said the initiative can help improve farming standards, encourage more sustainable practices and enable farmers to play a greater role in the development of the UAE’s agriculture sector.
He also highlighted the importance of attracting a new generation to agriculture, particularly people interested in modern technology and artificial intelligence.
Providing greater exposure to emerging agricultural technologies, he said, can help young people understand how the sector is changing and explore opportunities in areas such as smart farming and the application of AI in agriculture.
The 2026 edition represents the latest stage in Growtech’s 25-year history. Headquartered in Antalya, Türkiye, the internationally recognised exhibition brand has expanded its global presence to include events in Dubai, Lagos in Nigeria and Rimini in Italy.
Alan Kelly, Commercial & Strategy Director at InD Group, said the partnership with the National Agriculture Centre adds an important government perspective to Growtech Middle East, strengthening its ability to connect the priorities of the UAE agricultural sector with emerging technologies, expertise and solutions.
He said the event is intended to create a platform where farmers, policymakers, industry leaders, innovators and investors can explore practical opportunities and develop meaningful partnerships.
The collaboration, he added, will help ensure discussions and connections at Growtech Middle East address the sector’s current requirements while supporting its longer-term ambitions.
Engin Er, Exhibition Director at Growtech Events, said Growtech has evolved over the past 25 years alongside the changing needs of the global agriculture industry.
He said bringing the event to Dubai marks an important new phase for the brand, connecting Growtech’s international network with one of the region’s active markets for agricultural innovation.
The event, he added, is designed to go beyond a traditional exhibition by bringing together technology, knowledge, investment and industry expertise to address challenges affecting the future of food production.
Three key conference platforms
Alongside the exhibition, Growtech Middle East will feature a conference programme built around three main knowledge platforms:
- Future Food Resilience Summit: Farmers, government representatives and industry experts will discuss the future of food and the development of more resilient and sustainable food systems. Speakers will include representatives from the National Agriculture Centre, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other institutions.
- MENA Regenerative Agriculture Summit: Developed with Event Impact Partner Goumbook, the summit will focus on regenerative agriculture, climate resilience and sustainable farming practices.
- CPD-certified specialised seminars: Sessions will cover aquaculture, livestock, poultry, beekeeping, biostimulants and Emirati farming, providing farmers and agricultural professionals with practical knowledge and insights into emerging technologies and methods that can support more productive and sustainable operations.
Reflecting these priorities, the 2026 programme will examine how technology, innovation and knowledge can help UAE farmers improve productivity, raise agricultural standards and support more sustainable local food production.
Topics will range from controlled-environment agriculture and water efficiency to the growing use of artificial intelligence in farming.
The event will be supported by Nature for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions as Gold Sponsor, Enjaz Trading and Agricultural Technology Co. as Silver Sponsor, and MONTEL as Associate Sponsor.
Growtech Middle East 2026 will take place from October 26 to 28 in Hall 8 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
