The UAE has set an ambitious goal to integrate agricultural concepts into 'every school and home' across the nation, according to a senior official. Authorities plan to encourage residents to cultivate essential agricultural products at home as part of the 'Plant the Emirates' initiative.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Mohammed Saeed Sultan Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), outlined that the ministry will organize a series of events that UAE residents can participate in. These events will connect residents with local farmers to explore the types of food that thrive in a home setting. Residents will be encouraged to utilize their gardens to grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, including lemon, mango, buckthorn, guava, figs, beans, rocket leaves, green onion, okra, lettuce, radish, and medicinal and aromatic plants like basil, mint, parsley, coriander, and thyme.
Additionally, residents will receive training on selecting appropriate plants, maintaining soil health, and understanding the factors affecting the growth of ornamental, outdoor, and semi-outdoor plants. Once established, the National Agriculture Centre will offer training courses for citizens and residents interested in setting up home or commercial farms.
Al Nuaimi emphasized that by promoting home cultivation of agricultural products, the initiative aims to raise awareness about the value of food and reduce waste. The 'Plant the Emirates' program, launched this month, seeks to enhance food security in the UAE. During an introductory meeting with stakeholders, Al Nuaimi identified key challenges in the agriculture sector, such as a shortage of productive and organic farms, a lack of specialized workforce, and weak marketing efforts for local products. The national program will address these challenges by supporting farmers and fostering innovation.
One of the initiatives under the 'Plant the Emirates' program is the National Agriculture Centre, which will support farmers and local farms in boosting domestic production. The centre will focus on strategic initiatives and programs aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change, such as adopting climate-smart solutions. Special training courses will be organized to facilitate networking, knowledge exchange, and practical skills development. The centre will also provide technical support to enhance productivity and competitiveness, offering specialized training and consultancy services to empower farmers with modern agricultural techniques.
The centre's five-year targets (2025-2030) include increasing productive farms by 20%, boosting organic farming by 25%, achieving 30% adoption of climate-smart farming, reducing agricultural waste by 50%, increasing local agricultural use in the hospitality sector by 25%, and ensuring 85% of local farms receive quality certification. Further details about the National Agriculture Centre, its management, and responsibilities will be released next year.
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