Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Releases Agricultural Plan For 2018-2019 Season
Photo Credit: abudhabichamber.kr
The Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Service Centre, ADFSC, has revealed the ‘Agricultural Production Plan’ for the 2018-2019 season, starting from mid-August till June 2018.
The ADFSC identified 68 different types of fresh vegetables, including six fruit crops for the first time in the agricultural plan to encourage farm-owners to cultivate certain types of fruits. It also includes 18 varieties of organic crops to encourage farmers to switch to organic farming.
While the agricultural season plan 2018-2019 introduces diversification of production of various crops required for the market during the next winter and summer seasons, three primary crops account for about 70 percent of the total expected production.
Cucumber alone accounts for about 38 percent of the total expected production followed by round tomatoes by 26 percent, and capsicum by six percent of the total production expected to be supplied to the markets. The Farmers’ Service Centre organised a farmer’s forum to familiarise them with the details of the plan. Two meetings were held with Abu Dhabi and Al Dhafra farmers on Monday afternoon. The second meeting with Al Ain farmers was held on Tuesday afternoon. The executive schedule of the plan was explained with regards to crops and expected revenues for the farmers.
“This year’s agricultural plan represents a significant shift in the work of the centre as it focuses on encouraging the shift towards organic farming and fruit cultivation,” said Nasser Mohammed Al Junaibi, Acting CEO of the ADFSC.
The ADFSC will ensure the marketing of crops supplied annually, including figs, mangoes, oranges, guava, grapefruit and lemons. It will also market herb varieties, including mint, parsley and coriander to meet the local demand. Al Junaibi added that the agricultural plan has become an annual practice through which the Farmers’ Service Centre organises the activity within the farms and the continuity of production for longer periods in order to achieve sustainability in the agricultural sector, support food-security and strengthen the local product position in the market. It also aims to secure equilibrium between open farms and greenhouses to prevent competition between them and allow everyone to market produce according to consumer needs.
The CEO of the Farmers’ Service Centre called on Abu Dhabi farmers to expedite communication with the centre for registration and briefing of the requirements of the plan, stressing that it has been prepared specifically for the benefit of the national farm owners, based on actual studies conducted on market trends and the process of supply and demand of agricultural products that can be grown in the local soil.
