Sharjah: The United Arab Emirates has announced a target to produce 50% of its crops locally as part of efforts to strengthen national food security. The goal was highlighted during the Sharjah Investment Forum on October 15, 2026, where officials also reported that Sharjah has achieved a 93% landfill waste diversion rate through recycling, waste recovery and energy production.
Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said the country is updating its National Food Security Strategy 2051 in cooperation with the private sector. Smart farming, indoor agriculture and hydroponic technologies are expected to play an important role in increasing local crop production while reducing reliance on imported food.
Meanwhile, BEEAH Group CEO Khaled Al Huraimel highlighted Sharjah’s progress in waste management, reporting that 93% of waste is being diverted away from landfills through an integrated system of recycling, waste treatment and energy recovery. This figure represents the reported achievement of Sharjah’s waste-management system, not a nationwide UAE recycling rate.
BEEAH also plans to expand its Sharjah waste-to-energy facility, which currently generates 30 megawatts of electricity, to approximately 60 megawatts under its next development phase. The expansion aims to process more waste and produce additional low-carbon electricity, supporting Sharjah’s environmental and sustainable development objectives.
