The largest of the nation’s seven emirates, Abu Dhabi is a major producer of oil, but a combination of low rainfall and a lack of productive arable land means it relies heavily on imports. Internationally, poor harvests, low grain stocks and rising demand have propelled global food prices, forcing the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) to look beyond its borders in search of a long-term solution.

‘The recent oil price boom had a major effect on the price of raw commodities,’ Mohammed al-Suwaidi, the ADFD’s acting director general, told Reuters news agency. ‘Global warming has an effect on commodities. The time may come when, even if you have the money, acquiring some commodities will not be an easy task.’

According to the Guardian, Sudanese officials are leasing the land for free, hoping to benefit from the resulting business links the initiative will foster, as well as agricultural knowledge.

The move follows similar actions by several other oil-producing Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. ‘Food security is not just an issue for Abu Dhabi emirate or the UAE. Recently, it has become a hot issue everywhere,’ said al-Suwaidi.

September 08