Minister of Climate Change tours farms
DUBAI: Dr Abdullah Belhaif Al Nuaimi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, on Thursday met with several local farm owners and discussed ways to enhance and support the emerging agritech ecosystem in the UAE.
The minister met farm owners, Dr Ghanem Al Hajri and Ali Bujasim during a tour of the Themar Al Emarat hydroponic farm and the Alayas Farm, respectively.
Accompanied by Sultan Alwan, Acting UnderSecretary at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, MOCCAE, Dr Al Nuaimi while speaking with the farm owners, assessed the support that MOCCAE provides to the agricultural sector, specifically to modern farms.
He also emphasised the ministry’s role in creating markets for local produce through collaborative partnerships with major retailers to sell agricultural products grown locally across their chain of stores and supermarkets.
The minister stressed that the UAE prioritises the use of agricultural technologies that increase crop production and quality and reduce the environmental footprint of farms across the country. He pointed out that MOCCAE endeavours to strengthen its partnership with major modern farms in the UAE to develop the sector and highlight these farms as successful examples of agri-tech at work.
The Themar Al Emarat hydroponic farm is the largest mushroom farm in the UAE, producing nearly six tonnes of mushrooms daily for local consumption and export. The 190,000 sq.m farm relies on solar energy for 50 percent of its power requirements and recycles 100 percent of its irrigation water. It also reuses the soil in its hydroponic system as an agricultural conditioner in traditional cultivation.
Meanwhile, Alayas Farm produces two tonnes of green fodder that are used as feed for its goats and poultry livestock. It also leverages hydroponics in cultivating vegetables.
Ater visiting the farms, Dr Al Nuaimi toured the Al Awir Falcon Centre, where he highlighted the various services offered by the Ministry and their importance to falcon owners and breeders.