organic farming 2016

Nature harsh desert climate and difficult conditions and lack of water resources do not permit the achievement of the United Arab Emirates great achievements in the agriculture sector. It continues the march of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who said in this regard: «They gave me give you some farming ... civilization.
In the framework of its policy to promote agriculture, the state has worked to secure what it takes to work in this area. Than that: the establishment of construction projects that provide modern housing for farmers, the construction of the necessary infrastructure in the agricultural areas of roads, bridges, electricity, water and so on, the preparation of agricultural land and distributed free of charge to citizens, granting financial guarantees and soft loans for the purchase of equipment, fertilizers and seeds, provide technical and scientific advice from the agricultural engineers, purchasing state of the crop from the farmer.
These measures led to the promotion of agriculture and increase the number of farms of 319 farms in 1971 to 25 thousand farms in 1998, down to the more than 42 thousand farms in 2008. This contributed to the reduction of migration to the cities, and to secure a significant proportion of fresh fruits and vegetables to markets local.

Shift to organic farming

Interest in organic agriculture in the UAE in 2004, the activities of some individual farms. And then met with official and popular attention, having adopted the Ministry of Environment and Water (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries earlier) oa new Kmenhy supported and provide him with the means to grow. The ministry known as an agricultural system that relies on the use of natural materials biological farming instead of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and materials harmful to control public health does not allow the use of strains and genetically modified organisms and ionizing radiation and preservatives in the manufacturing, preparation and canning operations, and thus reach food to the consumer natural condition . Production and needs to be a period of transition from chemical farming to organic farming, inspections and certification of the places of production, to make sure that the conditions and criteria and to ensure product and consumer rights, according to the specific conditions set by the ministry.
Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: «We recognize the vital importance of building a modern and advanced organic agriculture sector, for an agricultural crop distinct and sustainable built on a balance between the safety of people and the soil and the preservation of the environment and water resources, rather than imported at high prices."
And represent this to say really in the public interest in all the emirates. It was held seminars and workshops designed to build a basic foundation for the production and marketing of organic materials, such as culinary arts festival in Abu Dhabi in 2010, which saw a seminar on the importance of organic foods. And it held international exhibitions, including the Middle East Natural and organic products exhibition and exhibition AGRA Middle East agricultural business which had been mounted in Dubai, as well as agricultural Liwa exhibition which recorded significant presence of organic products.
And established specialized centers, including organic farming center in Abu Dhabi, which was established in 2006, the decision, and aims to promote the agriculture in the emirate by providing technical support and development practices organic, but it becomes the center point of reference specialist in dry climates, especially the Middle East regions.
Mazza organic production subsidiary of the state has also been established in many of the UAE, including "Abu Dhabi Organic Farms", which entered full production in 2008 and produce the kinds of fruits and vegetables, meat and dairy products. The agriculture sector has also decided in the Department of Municipal Affairs in the city of Al Ain transform agricultural research center in the eye, amounting to an area of 55 hectares, exposed to organic farming within three years, the introduction of new vegetable crops in the agricultural season 2009 2010.

And support government research institutions and experiences related to organic production. For example, provided «Emirates» million dirhams ($ 272 thousand) contribute to the funding of six new research in the College of Food and Agriculture, UAE University to assess the reality and the future of organic farming in the state. There is cooperation in the transfer of expertise and global consultancy to the Emirates, especially with the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) and the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and the Organization of the Green Trade (Green trade). Especially organic agriculture in the Ministry of Environment and Water unit has been established. The ministry granted official licenses for agricultural production of organic and certified organic producer of farms that have been recorded, with monitored periodically by Achtsasian.kma publishes a scholarly publications and promotional posters explaining the benefits of organic farming.

Popularity of organic food

Grow organic products dramatically sector around the world, and the estimated global market value in 2009 at about $ 26 billion. There are currently more than 24 million hectares dedicated to this crop.

Experts estimate organic food market value in the GCC countries by more than $ 300 million annually, a candidate for quick rise, while estimates are all Asian markets, including the Middle East, is valued at about $ 500 million only.

In a poll conducted by You Gov Siraj Advisory Foundation in the UAE in 2009, it shows that 38% of those surveyed did not know anything about organic foods, and 20% have little idea about them, and 42% have «an image."

Replied only 1% said they ate organic food, and 33% did not ate it all, and 45% ate Taamin organic and non-organic. He said 21% said they had used previously organic food, but do not eat now, and 61% do not eat because of the high price, and 45% said they are not available all the time, and 22% do not believe that organic food is better than regular food, and 8% have other reasons for not eating Organic.