Dubai’s Best Homegrown Produce Competition unveiled

DUBAI: Dubai Municipality announced the “Dubai’s Best Homegrown Produce Competition,” one of the programs under Dubai Farms, which seeks to support citizen farmers who are productive agricultural entrepreneurs and to promote local agriculture for increased local production, and enhanced food security in Dubai.

The move comes in line with the objectives of Dubai Social Agenda 33, aimed at empowering Dubai citizens and increasing their productivity and economic contribution, thereby achieving self-sufficiency and physical, family, and social independence.

The competition aims to promote a culture of productive agriculture, adopt the concept of environmental sustainability, and achieve selfsufficiency of the family from agricultural products and crops produced in their homes as they will be at the level of the emirate’s neighbourhoods, as well as raise community awareness on the latest methods and techniques in agriculture.

The prizes will amount to Dhs100,000, which will be awarded to the first three centres divided into Dhs50,000 for the first winner, Dhs30,000 for the second, and Dhs20,000 for the third.

In addition, a “Medal of Dubai’s Best Homegrown Produce,” will be placed by Dubai Municipal Leaders at the front of the winning garden. The winners of the competition will be announced in May 2024.

Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al Awadi, Director of Agriculture Department at Dubai Municipality, said, “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.

Dubai Municipality alloted a one-month period to register for this competition through the following link: htps://dm.gov.ae.