Abu Dhabi: The Agriculture and Food Safety Authority of Abu Dhabi (ADAFSA) recently celebrated outstanding farmers, honoring them for their efforts in applying the best farming practices and modern technologies on their farms, to promote local production diversity of vegetables and fruits.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, Chairman of the UAE Sailing and Rowing Federation, H.E. Mubarak Ali Al Qusaili Al Mansoori, Executive Director of ADAFSA’s Agricultural Affairs Sector were in attendance at the event which was also attended by several farmers and ADAFSA staff.
The event was in line with ADAFSA’s efforts to encourage farmers to utilize their farms by applying the best practices to promote sustainable agricultural development, improve local agricultural products, preserve the environment, meet the market need, and enhance food security in Abu Dhabi.
Kicking off the event, H.E. Mubarak Ali Al Qusaili Al Mansoori greeted the attendees while commending them for their role in advancing farms and promoting high-quality local produce in markets.
The ADAFSA official called upon all farmers to follow in the footsteps of those who succeeded in developing their farms. During his address, Al Mansoori stated that the Authority gives considerable attention to support farmers by empowering them with the best practices and modern techniques to ensure production diversification, reduce costs, and yield profitable returns by producing high-quality products.
Despite the climatic conditions, water scarcity and high salinity rates, we were able to overcome difficulties facing the agriculture sector in Abu Dhabi, thanks to our wise leadership’s support and efforts of farmers.
H.E. Mubarak Ali Al Qusaili Al Mansoori remarked during his interaction.
By applying the best farming practices, many farmers have succeeded in growing various varieties of productive trees demanded by consumers and traders, such as different types of palm, citrus, mango and vegetable trees, Mr. Al Mansoori pointed out.
SHARING EXPERIENCES
The event also offered opportunities to farmers to share their success stories. Speaking at the gathering, one of the farmers in attendance highlighted his experience with growing fig and lemon seedlings imported from Egypt and Thailand with the technical support from ADAFSA’s extension staff. The farmer revealed that his farm’s produce of fig and lemon witnessed increased demand in the local market.
Meanwhile, another farmer shared his experience of growing Majdool dates as per ADAFSA’s guidelines.
Some farmers also showcased their success stories in growing other crops, such as mango, papaya, grafted sidr and others.
KNOWLEDGE SHARE
Engaging with each other, farmers highlighted the significance of sharing experiences with others through ADAFSA’s extension staff, stressing that farms can yield profitable returns by growing many products using modern agricultural techniques.
The participants thanked ADAFSA for its continuous efforts and support, which contributes to helping them manage their farms optimally.