A new programme for agricultural development has been unveiled in the UAE this month. Dubbed “Plant the Emirates,” the national programme, initiated by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, reportedly comprises several initiatives spanning across the agricultural sector.
Announced during a UAE Cabinet meeting held in Al Marmoom, Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed detailed that the program has been designed to strengthen food security, advance agricultural technologies, forge new private-sector partnerships and promote local products.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of The National Agriculture Centre as part of the program, which will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives and programmes to boost productivity, improve supply chains and reduce agricultural production costs.
Across the next five years, the centre aims to achieve a number of targets, including:
- Raising the number of productive farms in the country by 20 per cent,
- Increasing the number of organic farms by 25 per cent.
- Fostering the adoption of climate-smart solutions across 30 per cent of farms,
- Reducing agricultural waste by 50 per cent,
- Increasing the use of local agricultural products in restaurants and hotels throughout the UAE by 25 per cent, and
- Increasing the number of workers in the sector by 15 per cent.
In addition, officials explained the program is launching national campaigns, events, exhibitions, and seasonal markets, which will display and market crops and agricultural products under a unified identity.
Volunteer programmes and competitions will also be organised for students and the public. Meanwhile, the World’s Coolest Winter campaign will be launched under the slogan “Green Tourism,” with advisory and specialised programmes and services offered for farmers and the private sector.
The national programme will reportedly engage with all federal and local government entities, municipalities’ teams, private sector organisations, and community members and has been endorsed by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).