Abu Dhabi agricultural licences grow 29 per cent as sector expansion accelerates

The Abu Dhabi agriculture, fisheries and livestock sector recorded strong growth in the first nine months of 2025, with new licences rising significantly as the emirate accelerates investment in food security, smart farming and diversified economic activity.

The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development’s arm responsible for developing and regulating the business sector, reported substantial increases across all licence categories between January and September.

According to ADRA, 152 new licences were issued during the first nine months of 2025, up 29 per cent compared with 118 licences in the same period of 2024.

Active licences rose 13.5 per cent to 1,425, compared with 1,255 a year earlier, underscoring the sector’s growing attractiveness to local and international investors.

Abu Dhabi agriculture business

The Al Ain region accounted for the largest share of new licences, representing 61.8 per cent of all agricultural, fisheries and livestock licences issued in the first nine months of 2025, and 63 per cent of all active licences across Abu Dhabi.

Al Ain registered 94 new economic licences, bringing total active licences in the region to 896. These businesses play a pivotal role in supporting food security, creating jobs and strengthening economic diversification.

ADDED considers agriculture one of its priority development sectors for Al Ain, with a focus on public-private partnerships, investor opportunities and talent development as Abu Dhabi transitions toward a smart, diversified and sustainable economy.

The sector’s momentum is expected to continue following a major policy update expanding the number of economic activities permitted on farms from 71 to 145, under Decision No (5) of 2025 issued by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA).

The decision amends provisions of Decision No (3) of 2023, adding 74 new economic activities across multiple categories:

• 41 related to plant production
• 9 supporting plant production
• 8 food support services
• 12 industrial support activities
• 2 general support services
• 2 recreational activities

ADRA said these changes broaden opportunities for agri-industries, recreation and heritage activities, and strengthen the ecosystem supporting agricultural development.

Food security and investor support

Mohammed Muneef Al Mansoori, Director General of ADRA, said: “Abu Dhabi is focused on providing an integrated ecosystem to support agriculture, fisheries, and livestock activities due to their vital role in achieving food security, a top priority of economies worldwide.

“The continued high growth of economic licences in the sector over recent years reflects the effectiveness of initiatives launched by various entities in the emirate, including ADAFSA, the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, and ADRA, to support investors and entrepreneurs in seizing opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock.

“ADRA continues to introduce initiatives to enhance ease of doing business in the agricultural sector by offering support programmes for entrepreneurs and investors.

“The Farm Licence enables UAE nationals who own private farms to conduct up to 145 economic activities, contributing to agricultural development and opening diverse opportunities, including agri-industries, recreational, and heritage activities.

“Freelancer and Tajer Abu Dhabi licences include several advisory activities related to agriculture, fisheries, and livestock.”

Agriculture entrepreneurs

He added: “We are working to develop the agricultural sector under the direct supervision of the Committee for Economic Activities on Farms, formed under the direction of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office and includes members from ADDED, the Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and ADAFSA.

“We remain committed to support entrepreneurs and investors in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock activities, and to drive the shift toward smart and sustainable agriculture through innovative initiatives that create a supportive ecosystem in line with strategic plans for sustainable development and building the economy of the future.

“Last year, Abu Dhabi launched the AgriFood Growth and Water Abundance (AGWA) in 2024 to enhance food and water production and supply, supported by the latest innovations.”

Growing sector

In 2024, new licences for agriculture, fisheries and livestock activities in Abu Dhabi increased 103 per cent. The value of agricultural, forestry and fisheries output grew 38 per cent over five years, rising from AED6.8bn ($1.85bn) in 2019 to AED9.5bn ($2.59bn) in 2024.
Agricultural and food product exports increased 37.5 per cent, from AED6.3bn ($1.71bn) in 2019 to AED8.7bn ($2.37bn) in 2024.