How Dubai's Innovation-First Approach Is Changing The Landscape Of Food Technology

The world is at the cusp of food transformation, and future-forward cities like Dubai are enabling it through their receptive startup ecosystem and sustainable approach. Various companies are assessing ways to change how we perceive food, using Dubai as a blueprint for their experiments. Indiatimes spoke to Guido Mercati, co-founder and CEO of PROTe-IN, a company that harvests nutrients from carbon dioxide and is planning to set up in Dubai¡¯s Food Tech Valley. In addition, we also had the chance to get insights from Chandra Dake, CEO of Dake Rechsand, a global company that is meting out innovative solutions for water conservation and sustainable farming.

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The future of food innovation

In recent years, we've seen how artificial intelligence and innovation will constitute the crux of industries, and food tech is no different. Experts who have expanded in supportive cities like Dubai tell us what to expect. "The future of food is all about innovation that is focused on sustainability, health, and accessibility. We are moving away from traditional methods of innovation in the industry," said PROTe-IN's Guido Mercati.

Guido Mercati / Indiatimes

"Instead, we are seeing a surge of technological innovations that are addressing the challenges of food scarcity, waste, and environmental degradation. These innovations are being driven by breakthroughs in areas such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics," Mercati added.

Also read: How Dubai Is Enabling Startup Culture And Attracting Global Entrepreneurs

Dake Rechsand's Chandra Dake echoed a similar sentiment, saying that the "future of food will be shaped by technological advancements, changing consumer preferences, and a growing focus on sustainability." "As an industry, we are moving away from traditional methods and embracing a more data-driven approach with a focus on precision agriculture, vertical farming, and plant-based alternatives," Rechsand added.

Chandra Dake / Indiatimes

Mercati explained what constitutes "the pinnacle of innovation in food technology," saying that it ought "to create a sustainable and equitable food system that is accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or socio-economic status."

Dubai - the big enabler

As Dake Rechsand's CEO Chandra Dake put it, "location can be a significant factor in determining the success of a food business due to factors such as consumer preferences, access to resources, and government policies."

Why Dubai, then? "Dubai's strategic location, diverse population, and business-friendly policies make it an attractive destination for food entrepreneurs. Moreover, about 80-90% of food consumed is being imported, necessitating entrepreneurship related to desert farming and localisation," Rechsand added.

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According to PROTe-in's Guido Mercati, "the [Dubai] government's focus on innovation and technology has created a favourable environment for companies like PROTe-IN to set up their operations in Dubai... [We are] sitting at the intersection of the National Food Security Strategy 2051 and the UAE Net-Zero 2050 strategic initiative, because we are a climate tech and a foodtech startup, as it should be in 2023."

Rechsand's Chandra Dake offered more insight into what makes Dubai the destination of choice for food-tech companies. "Dubai has implemented several ease-of-doing-business policies and programs to attract food entrepreneurs and companies. Such initiatives include a tax-friendly environment, streamlined licensing processes, and funding opportunities. The Food Tech Valley and Dubai Wholesale City are examples of projects that facilitate the growth of the regional food industry."

Also read: How Technology Is Changing The Way Future-Ready Cities Like Dubai Are Built

Guido Mercati shed light on the fascination ascribed to Dubai's Food Tech Valley, saying "Dubai's Food Tech Valley is fascinating because it has the potential to become a global hub for food innovation and the most advanced ag-food technologies, like biomass fermentation for instance. The city's focus on sustainability and innovation, combined with its favourable business environment and agile regulatory framework, makes it an attractive destination for companies that are looking to create sustainable and innovative deep-tech solutions. For PROTe-IN, setting up in Dubai allows us to access this ecosystem and collaborate with other companies and organisations to drive innovation in the ever-changing food and biotech sectors."

How does Dubai facilitate innovation?

"Through business-friendly policies, infrastructure investments, and location advantagem," Chandra Dake said. "Events such as Gulfood provide a good avenue for food entrepreneurs and companies like us, at Dake Rechsand, to showcase our products and network with key stakeholders in the industry. The leadership¡¯s constant focus on Food and Water Security helps raise awareness among investors and consumers," Dake added.

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"I believe the relationship between food, technology, and Dubai will continue to evolve, thanks to the timely emergence of interdisciplinary solutions. Events like Gulfood, WETEX, and Future of Food will continue to grow as platforms where this harmonious relationship is showcased and fostered," Dake explained.

What should future food entrepreneurs do?

"For food entrepreneurs who wish to start their business in Dubai, [my advice] is to leverage the ecosystem that the city has created to support the growth of the food industry. They should also focus on creating sustainable and innovative solutions that are in line with the city's vision of becoming a global hub for food technology," PROTe-IN's Guido Mercati said.

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Breaking traditional boundaries

What does PROT-eIN harvest nutrients from organic sources? In the words of Guido Mercati, the company's co-founder and CEO, "PROTe-IN uses the autotrophic fermentation of non-pathogenic bacteria to produce biofabricated ingredients without editing genetically our biological sources, which is a sustainable and innovative method of nutrient harvesting. By using this method, we can create protein alternatives that are efficient, nutritious, and sustainable, without relying on plants or animals."

Dake Rechsand has also created something called "breathable sand." I'll let Chandra Dake, the CEO of Dake Rechsand explain it best - "Breathable Sand is a specialised, manufactured sand that retains water and permits optimal aeration, promoting healthy plant growth and increasing vegetation and green cover in desert areas. This technology is an innovative alternative to traditional irrigation methods that are less efficient and sustainable." Dake says that this technology has turned desert areas into arable lands in the region.

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Also read: Dubai's Pilot Batch Of Flying Taxis To Take Off By 2026; Here's The First Look

How can we leverage technology to improve farming? ¡°I believe that updating our methods using technology involves the use of precision agriculture and other innovations in farming, besides leveraging smart agri systems and the resulting data-driven decision-making to optimize resource use and increase yields. These methods can make farming more sustainable and efficient, thus alleviating water and food scarcity,¡± Dake added.

What do you think about the future of food technology and sustainability? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.