“Grow Emirates” collaborates with the private sector to increase food security

Yesterday, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment held a preliminary meeting about the national program “Grow the Emirates” with leading private sector companies working in the country’s agricultural sector, with the aim of discussing ways of cooperation to improve the role of agriculture increase in supporting the goals, initiatives and activities of the program, during the next phase, to strengthen sustainable food security for the country, according to the announcement of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Chief Minister for Scotland. the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, the national program “Plant the Emirates” and the “National Agricultural Center”, with the aim of supporting the UAE guidelines for agricultural development and increasing food security levels Sustainable national development, building com -new partnerships with the private sector, spreading the green patch in the country and ensuring sustainability.

This came in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al-Dahhak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Mohammed Saeed Al-Nuaimi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry, and Engineer Amal Abdel Rahim, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Support Services at the Center. Group, together with several representatives of leading companies working in the country’s agriculture and food sector in Emirates Towers in Dubai.

The meeting reviewed the most prominent activities and specialties of the National Agricultural Center and its role in supporting citizen farmers and local farms, to increase local production of agricultural crops, and ways to co- work with the private sector to fulfill its role in supporting the initiatives and The actions of the national program “Plant the Emirates” were also identified the most important challenges in the agricultural sector and the way to solutions search through the national program.

In her speech, Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al-Dahhak emphasized the prestigious partnership with the private sector, which is a key pillar for enhancing various development efforts in the UAE, especially in the agricultural sector and sustainable food security.

His Excellency said: The UAE’s effort to strengthen the agricultural sector stems from an approach established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy on him, who said, “Give me agriculture…

I promise you that there will be civility. .

His Excellency said: “It was necessary to achieve an extraordinary step that would last for years, proving that agriculture is the means by which the UAE society can resume its civil path, and this was represented by the publication the national program “Plant the Emirates”, which represents a positive step in the UAE’s journey to create the future. “

His Excellency Al Dahak pointed out that “Growth of the Emirates” is a resource of ideas, efforts and innovations, through which we aim to increase cooperation between all parties, the private sector and members of society.

She emphasized that the program represents an invitation to government institutions, the private sector, and community members to play a greater role in increasing national food security, by adopting the sustainable production of agricultural products – starting from farms and ending with homes – and taking an active part through these practices in expanding the green area in the country.

Challenges and solutions

Mohammed Saeed Al Nuaimi reviewed the most prominent facts and figures related to the country’s agricultural sector, as well as the most important challenges facing the sector and the roles it needs. all parties, to activate and strengthen this vital, important sector, by increasing. productive farms and organic farms.

Doubling the specialized workers in the agricultural sector, and strengthening marketing efforts for local agricultural products, with a greater need to spread modern agricultural systems with climate on the country’s traditional farms.

He said: “The development of the agricultural sector has become a national security and development need, as the “Plant the Emirates” program and the “National Agriculture Center” respond to this need by providing supporting Emirati farmers, encouraging agricultural innovation in the country, and funding innovative ideas, to address the challenges of the agricultural sector.”

Mohammed Al Nuaimi reviewed the objectives of the National Agricultural Center, the most important of which is a 20% increase in productive farms, a 25% increase in organic farms in the country, the percentage of farms that adopt solutions climate increase to 30%. , and reduce waste in agricultural production by 50%.

Campaigns and events

Engineer Amal Abdel Rahim reviewed the objectives of the national program “Plant the Emirates” in strengthening the local agricultural sector and involving the community in efforts to improve agriculture and green areas. distribution, increase local production of agricultural products and increase their competitiveness.

He also mentioned the most important initiatives and events related to the national program, the most important of which is the “Plant the Emirates Festival,” the “Plant the Emirates” campaign, the global forum “Plant the Emirates”, and the “National Agricultural Exhibition”, which brings together experts, owners of agricultural investments, officials, and investors, as well as presenting the most important agricultural products.

The introductory meeting on the national program “Plant the Emirates” opened the door to an open discussion from the attendees, who confirmed their willingness to contribute to achieving the program’s goals at the next level, by ‘ use their investment, research, marketing and other capabilities to support the local agricultural product, increase its productivity, and increase competitiveness in the field All markets in the country, as well as to ‘ encouraging the community to be part of the national movement to promote agriculture and its role in supporting sustainable food. security in the UAE.

In accordance with the decision of the Council of Ministers regarding community agriculture, the Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment launched an Agriculture Competition in Schools, which aims to promote the culture of agriculture and food production and raise awareness school students, and to contribute to the creation of an aware generation that will then contribute to the process of sustainable agricultural development in the country, through participation. Schools at different levels across the country will participate in the competition.