SELF RELIANCE
IN
AGRICULTURE

Two events -- Al Ain city's winning a prize at the "Nations In Bloom Contest" last year and winning the flower display award by His Highness President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan at the "Chelsea Flower Show" this year, have established UAE as a country standing tall among the world's eco-friendly countries, committed to a greener environment. Sheikh Zayed's Garden at Chelsea featuring enormous palms exhibiting on Islamic style display garden, dazzled the eyes of more than 270,000 horticulturists and enthusiasts at the 33rd Flower Show held in the United Kingdom.

Sheikh Zayed, an ardent lover of gardening and a high profile supporter of attaining development while protecting environment and spreading the green belts in the oasis of the UAE, also attaches top priority to self-reliance of his country in agriculture.

Two events -- Al Ain city's winning a prize at the "Nations In Bloom Contest" last year and winning the flower display award by His Highness President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan at the "Chelsea Flower Show" this year, have established UAE as a country standing tall among the world's eco-friendly countries, committed to a greener environment. Sheikh Zayed's Garden at Chelsea featuring enormous palms exhibiting on Islamic style display garden, dazzled the eyes of more than 270,000 horticulturists and enthusiasts at the 33rd Flower Show held in the United Kingdom.

Sheikh Zayed, an ardent lover of gardening and a high profile supporter of attaining development while protecting environment and spreading the green belts in the oasis of the UAE, also attaches top priority to self-reliance of his country in agriculture.

Agriculture Allowance: The incentives for investments in the agriculture has been provided by Act in 1972, 1976 and finally amended in 1986. A person or a company carrying on an agricultural activity can claim capital allowances or agricultural allowances under the act in respect of expenditures incurred in various activities ultimately  for the purpose of agriculture which include:

a)      Cleaning and preparation of land, planting of trees and saplings, construction of water reservoirs. The functionary would be entitled for an yearly allowance of 50 per cent of the expenditure incurred.

b)      Expenditure incurred on the construction of houses for farmers on or near the farms can be written off at the rate of 20 per cent per year.

c)      Expenditure incurred on the imports of seeds, fertilisers or erection work related with developing the farm or improving the yield of agriculture produce can be written off over a period of 10 years.

Reinvestment Allowance: Reinvestment Allowance is granted to a national or a company engaged in production for at least 12 months of essential food such as rice, vegetables, tubers, livestock, aquatic products and any other activities approved by the Ministry of Finance. The qualifying capital expenditure comprises.

1)    The cleaning and preparation of land

2)    The planting of trees and saplings

3)    The provision of drainage or draining systems

4)    The provision of seeds and machinery

5)    The construction of access roads including bridges.

Updating the Knowledge on Farming: Since agricultural development is a priority area in the UAE led by the President Sheikh Zayed and all Supreme Council Members and Rulers of the Emirates, being very keen on providing the nation's agricultural sector every possible support is provided in this direction.

For the sixth time in a row an Agri Business Expo Middle East 2001 was held this year in the UAE. This international exhibition was a vital support to acquaint the UAE farmers and government officials themselves with the latest techniques and developments in the agricultural sector from across the world.

Supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and organised by Mediac Communication and Promotion, the exhibition has, over the years, recorded a steady growth of 30 per cent every year.

Essential Component of the UAE Economy: This reflects initiatives of the UAE Government which actively supports and even finance agricultural programs, especially those aimed at making the country self reliant in food.

Date palm are the main crops in the Emirates and the number of date palms have multiplied "ten times" over the last two decades.

The report on "Agriculture in the Arab World" reveals that the recent level of agricultural production in the UAE is sufficient in fulfilling not only the requirements of the national population but that of expatriates as well.

Keeping in line with this focus and commitment, local agro based industries, form an important component of UAE economy.  The country is a very attractive and high-potential market for international suppliers of agricultural suppliers of agricultural produce, equipment, machinery and expertise. The UAE imports an estimated Dh. 4 billion worth of agricultural products annually. This figure increases by around 10 to 15 per cent per year.

Exports: Over the years, the country has channeled its resources in the agriculture sector through various projects such as modernisation of irrigation techniques and increasing the number of farms.

In recent years UAE has even exported some varieties of fruits and vegetables to other countries especially in Europe.

Based on figures from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, a total of around 1,113,562 donum (1 donum is equal to 1000 square meters) of land has been brought under cultivation.

The region around Abu Dhabi corners a majority of these agricultural holdings with 773,464 donum of land, followed by the Central and Northern regions of the country.

A majority of the UAE's agricultural production comes from four main areas -  from in and around Al Ain, from a narrow but fertile strip along the East Coast, from the Oasis of Dhaid, East of Sharjah and from the gravel plains of Ras A Khaimah.

Local agricultural production is worth over Dh.2 billion per year.

An average crop season yields over 600,000 tons of crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, lettuce, cabbage among others. Varieties of Date palms is the cash crop.

• Farmers are given advice on how to reduce their water consumption mainly through drip irrigation. Desalinated water as well as recycled and purified sewage effluent is used.

• The government is searching for new aquifers and monitoring current rates of extraction in coordination with United States Geological Survey.

• Retention dams, which store rainwater until the time they will be used for irrigation, have been constructed in several areas to prevent valuable rainwater.

International Consultants: Abu Dhabi has invited international consultants for a contract to carry out feasibility study for establishment of an Agriculture Research Centre in the Western region.

In the meantime a local firm ETA in the UAE has joined hands with United States, Responsible Bio Solid Management (RBM) which has already carried on extensive research in soil, water and plant tissue samples in the UAE. RBM has selected suitable fertilisers for conditions in the UAE. Gulf Green is one such organic fertilisers imported from the US and found extremely helpful in improving the yields of crops in the UAE. This fertiliser is 100 per cent organic and contains no chemicals and requires no weeding, thus saving labor and has no harmful effects on the plants.

RBM has also suggested methods to prevent various diseases in plants and the ways to reduce water consumption.

Green Team: The US consultants have claimed that increasing number of farmers in the UAE have preferred to consume organic fertiliser which have produced improved results in growth of vegetables.

The green team comprising the US agricultural experts have already undertaken testing the soil to identify the diseases and recommend treatment of soil and water. With the consent and approval of the Ministry of Agriculture the green team members have visited several farms in the UAE, studying local methods and productions and offering advice on various issues.

Co-operative Farming: There is tremendous scope for co-operative farming in the UAE, since farm sizes are smaller compared to those in the US. The UAE Government and private entrepreneurs of the UAE could look into this area which may lead to mechanised farming. Several farmers in Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah, Liwa, Shahama and Ajban have switched over to organic fertilisers and are consulting for co-operation in farming.

Once the Agriculture Research Institute is established, the UAE would be able to become self-sufficient in agricultural produces before very long.

Balancing Act: From the very start, the Federation of UAE has struck a balance in sustainability and did not let the gap between the consumption and replenishment widened which has led to the fastest growth of the country without robbing the nation of its natural resources the  richest heritage.

Each  emirate has its own green belt development plans.

Abu Dhabi's Sir Bani Yas Islands and ambitious Lulu Island projects are being developed wherein several thousand palm trees have been planted and lush green parks are planned. The capital city's landscapes and green belt have already made Abu Dhabi as one of world's most scenic cities.

Al Ain has been dubbed a the Garden City of the Middle East. It is beautifully landscaped and green belts offer great scope for tourism. More than half of the agricultural produce comes from around the oasis of Al Ain.

Sharjah and its surroundings Kalba have grown palm trees, which produce blossoms and ripen date at the same time all the year round. A sapling which one Kalba national, Darwish Khamis Balhaj had brought from Pakistan has turned out to be a unique harvest since last seven years and blossom dates even in winter which other palm trees do not. Some nationals from Fujairah and Marheb have the same kind of trees which have been imported from Asian countries.

Fujairah's Falaj Irrigation has led to small farms dotting the island near Wadi Hail and flourishing cultivation in nursery plants and exotic varieties of flowers at Wadi Siji is reflective of an ambitious agricultural plan.

Ras Al Khaimah is already serving as a "Grainery" for the UAE.

Umm Al Quwain government has also launched an ambitious project to build a 750,000 sq meter green belt.

Dubai has also recently turned its attention to develop green belts. A 600  hectare land has been earmarked for the natural sites. Dubai's outer districts Hatta and around has agricultural farms.

The green belts and scenic sites is complementary to the development of eco-tourism. Keeping this in mind Dubai has built Al Maha Resort. It is 12.5 million ambitious project, a perfect sanctuary in the middle of the desert a vast nature reserve. Within the resort, landscaping with indigenous plant species includes the recreation of an old palm plantation, with ancient irrigation system, Falaj, connected to the spring in the courtyard of the main building. It is owned and managed by Emirates Airlines.

It is now being increasingly realised that much more than its investment in glitzy hotels and gigantic shopping complexes, it is UAE natural resources which hold the key to attracting tourists while fulfilling the "green dream".