Dubai: The “Dubai’s Best Homegrown Produce Competition,” one of the initiatives under Dubai Farms, aims to support citizen farmers who are successful agricultural entrepreneurs and to promote local agriculture for increased local production and enhanced food security in the Emirate of Dubai, was announced by the Dubai Municipality.
The action is consistent with the goals of Dubai Social Agenda 33, which aims to achieve self-sufficiency and social, familial, and physical independence for Dubai residents by empowering them and boosting their productivity and economic contribution.
The competition aims to promote a culture of productive agriculture, adopt the concept of environmental sustainability, and achieve self-sufficiency of the family from agricultural products and crops produced in their homes as they will be at the level of the emirate’s neighborhoods, as well as raise community awareness on the latest methods and techniques in agriculture.
Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al-Awadi, Director of Agriculture Department at Dubai Municipality, remarked that, “Dubai Municipality is focused on the goal of supporting community practices, which motivates both citizens and residents to produce sustainable local agriculture. It is a pivotal factor in the efforts to ensure the sustainability of the food security system and environmental resources. The commitment comes in support of the National Food Security Strategy goals, as well as Dubai Food Security Strategy, which aims at improving domestic production and reducing food loss and wastage, further consolidating the Emirate’s position as the world’s leading destination that combines aesthetic, environmental and food sustainability.”
“The Municipality offers essential facilities to implement initiatives and programs to support the success of citizens’ agricultural projects and encourage them to make use of available spaces in their gardens thus boosting proportions of the contributions made by small-scale domestic agricultural enterprises towards Dubai’s domestic product ranges. It further aims to improve the quality of life and happiness of the members of the society,” Al-Awadi added.