GLOBAL AGROVET
RESEARCH CONFERENCE - 2K26
October 2026
DubaiPOWERED BY ARCC JOURNALS
POWERED BY ARCC JOURNALS
20 November 2025
Key Lessons on Sustainable Agriculture from GARCX 2025 in the UAE
20 November 2025
The Global AgroVet Research Conference (GARCX 2025), powered by ARCC Journals, convened leading experts in soil science, regenerative agriculture, and arid-climate food production for an insightful panel discussion on “Sustainable Agriculture, Food & Soil Health.” Held at Dusit Thani Dubai, the session explored what it truly takes to build resilient farming systems in some of the world’s harshest growing environments.
Soil, Water, and Community Awareness: The Core of Sustainability
A central takeaway from the panel was that sustainable agriculture is built on three interconnected pillars:
- Healthy soil
- Clean, well-managed water
- Informed communities
Rather than focusing solely on crop yields, today’s agricultural leaders are urging a shift toward ecosystem balance and soil vitality. Panelists emphasized that even simple indicators — such as soil organic matter, structure, visible biological activity, and moisture retention — can reveal a farm’s long-term health without requiring advanced lab analysis.
Adapting Agriculture for Arid and Harsh Climates
The UAE and the wider MENA region face unique farming challenges: heat stress, high salinity, limited water, and fragile soils.
Yet, as the speakers discussed, practical and science-backed solutions already exist to improve land productivity and resilience.
Key techniques highlighted included:
- Composting and organic fertilisation
- Salinity management strategies
- Grafting to strengthen crop tolerance
- Strategic water reuse
- Testing and diversifying plant varieties
These methods help farmers adapt to environmental pressures while regenerating the land. The panel noted that success comes from merging scientific research with local farmer knowledge, creating systems that are both innovative and culturally grounded.
Soil vs Controlled Environment Agriculture — Not a Competition
As indoor farming and hydroponics expand rapidly across the UAE, the panel addressed a common misconception: that technology could replace traditional soil-based agriculture.
The consensus was clear:
- Indoor/CEA systems offer precision, water efficiency, and climate protection.
- Soil-based systems maintain biodiversity, microbial life, and landscape health.
Both are essential. Technology should enhance — not replace — the ecological foundations that make food systems sustainable.
A Vision for the Future: Regeneration, Efficiency, and Diversity
The panel concluded with a unified message: The agricultural future of arid regions depends on regenerated soils, smart water management, crop diversity, and thoughtful use of technology.
By strengthening these pillars today, countries like the UAE can build food systems that remain stable and productive despite increasing climate pressures.
Panel Contributors
Moderator: Daria Shchurik, Head of Growth, Greeneration Vertical Farm- Moderator: Daria Shchurik, Head of Growth, Greeneration Vertical Farm
- Farah Chakhachiro, Vice President, Gracia Group
- Dr. Bhaskar Rao, Agriculture Consultant, GCC
- Ahmed Ali Obaid Alhefeiti, Founder, Wadi Dafta Plantation
- Dr. Gurbachan Singh, Founder, GSFRED
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