Samarkand, May 6 (AseanAll) — The International Affairs Office at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Presidential Court has provided a $1.5 million grant to an innovative agricultural fund administered by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to help embed evidence-based agricultural innovations into national programs for farmers across Asia and the Pacific.
The grant, announced during ADB’s 59th Annual Meeting in Samarkand, is part of the Cofinancing Agreement for Agriculture Innovation to scale up proven, high impact agricultural technology across Asia and the Pacific.
“Many farmers in the region are struggling with skyrocketing prices for imported fertilizers just as they make crucial decisions when to plant their crops,” said Senior Director of ADB’s Agriculture, Food, Nature, and Rural Development Sector Office Qingfeng Zhang. “This investment is part of broader efforts by ADB and its partners to ease the burden by reducing the amount and cost of fertilizer that farmers need through technology that shows exactly where and when it is needed.”
The technical assistance supported by the partnership will be steered by the Agricultural Innovation Mechanism for Scale (AIM for Scale), an initiative supported by the UAE and Gates Foundation — and part of Abu Dhabi's AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development, launched in 2025 to bring AI tools to farmers worldwide. The partnership also includes contributions by the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific since 2024.
The fund promotes innovative farming methods across the region, including satellite monitoring and AI to enhance the accuracy of weather forecasting, enabling targeted application of farm inputs to reduce their usage and cost. These innovations will also enable farmers to use fertilizer more efficiently and cost-effectively as they manage volatility in global markets.
ADB is helping Asia and the Pacific manage these impacts by providing timely access to fertilizer through emergency financing and coordinated procurement ahead of planting seasons. It is also expanding credit, trade finance, and working capital for farmers and agribusinesses, and backing policy reforms to prevent export restrictions and strengthen regional food security mechanisms such as the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve.
“International cooperation continues to play a key role in strengthening global food security,” said Advisor at the International Affairs Office of the UAE Presidential Court Khalfan Al Matrooshi. “Through Abu Dhabi's AI Ecosystem for Global Agricultural Development, the UAE is convening the partners, expertise, and financing to make that possible. Today's partnership is a testament to what international cooperation can deliver when global partners come together with shared purpose."
The International Affairs Office at the UAE Presidential Court is a specialized office established to advance and deliver strategic international projects, with a particular focus on science, research, and diplomacy. It serves as a platform for high-impact initiatives that call for integrated vision and a multidisciplinary approach, producing sustainable outcomes with tangible impact.
ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
