The Abu Dhabi Registration Authority (ADRA), the arm of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) responsible for overseeing the business sector, announced robust growth in agricultural, fisheries, and livestock licences during the first nine months of 2025. This expansion is attributed to the emirate’s food security agenda and growing investor interest.
Between January and September, ADRA issued 152 new licences an increase of 29 percent compared to 118 in the same period last year. By the end of Q3, active licences had reached 1,425, marking a 13.5 percent rise from 1,255 the year before.
The Al Ain region accounted for the bulk of this activity, issuing 61.8 percent of all new agricultural, fisheries, and livestock licences during the period, and representing 63 percent of all active licences across Abu Dhabi. Al Ain granted 94 new licences, bringing its total to 896. These operations contribute to Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s food security efforts, generate employment, and support wider economic growth.
Agriculture remains one of the priority sectors within ADDED’s development strategy for Al Ain, aimed at expanding public-private partnerships, unlocking new opportunities, and nurturing talent in line with Abu Dhabi’s move toward a smart, diversified, and sustainable economy.
Growth in the sector is expected to continue following a recent regulation update that increased the number of permitted on-farm economic activities from 71 to 145.
Mohammed Muneef Al Mansoori, Director-General of ADRA, stated, “Abu Dhabi is committed to building an integrated ecosystem that supports agriculture, fisheries, and livestock given their crucial role in global food security.”
He noted that the sustained rise in economic licences reflects the success of initiatives introduced by various organisations, including ADAFSA, the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, and ADRA—to help investors and entrepreneurs capitalise on opportunities in these sectors.
ADRA continues to roll out measures that improve the ease of doing business in agriculture, offering support programmes for investors and entrepreneurs. The Farm Licence grants UAE nationals who own private farms the ability to undertake up to 145 economic activities, enhancing agricultural development and opening the door to agri-industries, recreational ventures, and heritage-focused projects.
Freelancer and Tajer Abu Dhabi licences also cover a range of advisory services related to agriculture, fisheries, and livestock.
Al Mansoori 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.”
In 2024, new agricultural, fisheries, and livestock licences in Abu Dhabi increased by 103 percent. Meanwhile, the value of agricultural, forestry, and fisheries output rose 38 percent over five years, from AED 6.8 billion in 2019 to AED 9.5 billion in 2024. Agricultural and food product exports also grew 37.5 percent, reaching AED 8.7 billion.
(Inputs from WAM)
