Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
Along with home chefs and TikTok dancers, the coronavirus pandemic spurred the rise of a UAE community some experts say is the need of the hour: gardeners growing their own food.
Using everything from living-room spaces to balconies in high-rises, many in the community say their passion has made them more aware not only of the foods they consume, but also of the wider environmental impact of the supply chain.
Gardening kits by Local Roots
"In the UAE, most of our food is imported, almost 90 per cent, which is crazy. Imagine facing a situation where the supply chain stops. We will be left with nothing," says Mohammed Al Dhuhouri, who founded Local Roots UAE in October 2019. The company encourages sustainable and organic local food production by providing consultation and gardening kits to anyone keen to start growing their own food at home.
Al Dhuhouri is an Emirati geologist who works as an environmental specialist at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. He says he started his company after he saw a growing interest. "People are realising whatever they put on their plates affects their health. And we wanted to encourage this trend, and provide the right tools and knowledge," he says.
A balcony full of vegetables
Dubai resident Nirmala D'Souza discovered the joys of producing her own food during restrictions on movement last year. "We weren't meeting anybody then and spending so much time in front of our screens, so I wanted a diversion," she says. "I started with chilli and once I saw it flourishing, I decided to do more research online and began growing."
The plant produced just one fruit, but the joy I felt was out of this world
D'Souza, who runs her own public relations company, has now converted her two balconies into gardens – one for vegetables, the other for flowers. On the former, she grows everything from coriander, fenugreek, spinach and taro to turmeric, cucumber and tomatoes. She says starting her own garden was one of the best decisions she's ever made.
“The feeling when you plant something and then harvest it, I don’t think anything else makes me this happy. My cucumber plant produced just one fruit, but the joy I felt was out of this world. I am now thinking about moving into a villa where I can have a bigger garden.”
Immunity-boosting microgreens
Jay Menorca, who works in marketing, says he’s saved a lot of money since he started his microgreens garden in July last year.
“A lot of microgreens are not easily available in the UAE and, where they are sold, they are expensive,” he says. “For example, when you buy wheatgrass at juice bars, one shot will cost you about Dh25. I bought a kilogram of seeds for Dh15 and can harvest it for a month.”
It was Menorca's housemate's Covid-19 diagnosis that led him to set up a microgreens garden in their living room. "When my friend tested positive, we researched superfoods that could help boost the immune system and found that microgreens are 10 times more nutrient compact than a lot of vegetables," he says.
Menorca built a deck with tools, including energy-efficient lighting, and seeds and trays ordered online. The seeds are ready to harvest within nine to 14 days, depending on the variety. He says he's been so successful with the project that he's helped to set up similar gardens for his friends.
"I am in the process of researching licensing and thinking about selling 'grow kits' for microgreens with all the seeds and tools as I've received so many inquiries.
Sell your own produce
Other UAE residents have already turned their passion for gardening into successful businesses. Leonard Rego, who runs a technology and media company, last year decided to set up So We Grow, a company that helps people grow food on their balconies or in their back gardens. Rego and his cousin Nasser host training webinars to encourage people to produce their own food, and teach them how to become "market gardeners", so they can sell their produce.
During our webinars, one of the questions asked was which tree radishes grew on. People had no idea where their food was coming from
The training sessions, held in Arabic and English, are gaining in popularity. Having started it April last year, the duo have more than 13,000 members on their Facebook page and more than 6,000 followers on Instagram. "Our mission is to let people know they don't have to rely on others for their sustenance. And to do it in a clean and healthy way, organically.
"The reason we started [the business] was because as soon as the pandemic hit, one of the fears was about food supply. Then there was a fear of contamination," says Rego. "Also there was little knowledge. People are so disconnected from nature in a city. During our webinars, someone asked which tree radishes grew on. People had no idea where their food was coming from."
Al Dhuhouri, who also hosts educational classes, says he's making it his mission to encourage more Emiratis to join him in the movement. "Many people think we live in a desert and we can't garden. We actually have one of the longest growing seasons on the planet, about seven months, compared to, say, Canada, which has just three months. So we are very lucky," says the father-of-three, who plans to set up an organic farm.
"Whenever you're connecting with nature and your hands are touching the soil, there is a sense of being grounded, and you feel peaceful. So you also benefit mentally and spiritually. And at the same time you produce high-quality food," he says.
“Also environmentally, you’re helping in cleaning all the bad chemicals that are circulating in the atmosphere. When we do gardening, we’re sequestering carbon and putting it back into the ground. So you are part of the solution. Eating healthy, producing food and helping the environment – it’s a win-win situation.”
There is also the monetary aspect. Rego grows more than 20 types of vegetables on his balcony and the garden of his Dubai Hills villa. He estimates that he and his family of four, including live-in house help, save up to Dh5,000 a year on grocery bills, thanks to his gardening.
That and the peace of mind it gives him is rewarding, he says. “I am working in three time zones right now and I don’t have a day off. The only time I feel grounded and present is when I’m gardening. It’s like developing a new superpower.”
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
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Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP
Group A
Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA
Group B
Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti
Group C
Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia
Group D
Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria
The specs: 2019 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera
Price, base: Dh1.2 million
Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 725hp @ 6,500pm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,800rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.3L / 100km (estimate)
Results
United States beat UAE by three wickets
United States beat Scotland by 35 runs
UAE v Scotland – no result
United States beat UAE by 98 runs
Scotland beat United States by four wickets
Fixtures
Sunday, 10am, ICC Academy, Dubai - UAE v Scotland
Admission is free
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
More coverage from the Future Forum
Five famous companies founded by teens
There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Company%20Profile
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Buy farm-fresh food
The UAE is stepping up its game when it comes to platforms for local farms to show off and sell their produce.
In Dubai, visit Emirati Farmers Souq at The Pointe every Saturday from 8am to 2pm, which has produce from Al Ammar Farm, Omar Al Katri Farm, Hikarivege Vegetables, Rashed Farms and Al Khaleej Honey Trading, among others.
In Sharjah, the Aljada residential community will launch a new outdoor farmers’ market every Friday starting this weekend. Manbat will be held from 3pm to 8pm, and will host 30 farmers, local home-grown entrepreneurs and food stalls from the teams behind Badia Farms; Emirates Hydroponics Farms; Modern Organic Farm; Revolution Real; Astraea Farms; and Al Khaleej Food.
In Abu Dhabi, order farm produce from Food Crowd, an online grocery platform that supplies fresh and organic ingredients directly from farms such as Emirates Bio Farm, TFC, Armela Farms and mother company Al Dahra.
