Inside the first saffron farm in the Middle East, at VeggiTech Farm in Sharjah. The quality manager, Ghazal Shafiee with a saffron bulb, that takes about nine to months before it can be harvested. Antonie Robertson / The National
Inside the first saffron farm in the Middle East, at VeggiTech Farm in Sharjah. The quality manager, Ghazal Shafiee with a saffron bulb, that takes about nine to months before it can be harvested. Antonie Robertson / The National
Inside the first saffron farm in the Middle East, at VeggiTech Farm in Sharjah. The quality manager, Ghazal Shafiee with a saffron bulb, that takes about nine to months before it can be harvested. Antonie Robertson / The National
Inside the first saffron farm in the Middle East, at VeggiTech Farm in Sharjah. The quality manager, Ghazal Shafiee with a saffron bulb, that takes about nine to months before it can be harvested. Ant


Sharjah's saffron farm is a sign of the UAE's progress


The National
  • English
  • Arabic

November 04, 2022

With reference to Nick Webster's report 'Red gold' saffron grows in Sharjah desert using vertical farming methods (November 01): Working in the F&B industry, I find this method especially interesting. It could be just a matter of time before restaurants source at least a part of their saffron from vertical farms.

Yakub Maung, Islamabad, Pakistan

This is the kind of progress that is needed in the Middle East. Women can play a major role too in this and they should be encouraged. It's a great initiative. It could be made cheaper for small farmers in the region to be able to set up similar farms and thrive.

Srinath Sambandan, Visakhapatnam, India

An impressive archaeological find

With reference to John Dennehy's article Ancient Christian monastery discovered in Umm Al Quwain (November 3): An incredible discovery and only the second monastery found in the UAE after the earlier one on Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island in the early 1990s. Thank you for reporting on this.

William D Neufville, Monrovia, Liberia

Peace finally for Ethiopia and Tigray

With reference to Holly Johnston's report Ethiopia and Tigray rebels agree to end hostilities (November 2): I was happy to read that peace was able to be reached amicably without any western interference. Well done to both sides. Good job and a win for diplomacy.

Eqbal Hussain, Kishanganj, Bihar, India

Deadly bridge collapse was avoidable

With reference to Taniya Dutta's article India's deadly bridge collapse probably caused by rusty cables (November 2): It was very sad to read about the avoidable deaths caused by the bridge collapse in India's western Gujarat state. There are questions about laxity and improper maintenance of public infrastructure. It is reckless to have opened the bridge without the necessary safety checks. The 233-metre bridge from the time of the British regime killed more than 135 people. The nine people including ticket-booking clerks who have been arrested is a small comfort to shattered families. Complete accountability needs to be sought of how things could have come to such a head. The human stories, about those who lost their lives in the accident, including the 35 young children, are heartbreaking. It is suspicious also why renovation work was contracted to a clock manufacturer. How could the authorities have assumed rusty cables would not be a serious security hazard? Whatever be the compensation bestowed to victims' kin, lives won't come back. I pray for the departed souls and hope there is strict action taken so accidents such as these never happen again.

K Ragavan, Bengaluru, India

Australia squads

ODI: Tim Paine (capt), Aaron Finch (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye.

T20: Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey (vice-capt), Ashton Agar, Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, Andrew Tye, Jack Wildermuth.

PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

Common%20symptoms%20of%20MS
%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFatigue%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3Enumbness%20and%20tingling%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ELoss%20of%20balance%20and%20dizziness%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EStiffness%20or%20spasms%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ETremor%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EPain%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBladder%20problems%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBowel%20trouble%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EVision%20problems%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EProblems%20with%20memory%20and%20thinking%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
Ms Yang's top tips for parents new to the UAE
  1. Join parent networks
  2. Look beyond school fees
  3. Keep an open mind
Ireland (15-1):

Ireland (15-1): Rob Kearney; Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack Conan, Sean O'Brien, Peter O'Mahony; James Ryan, Quinn Roux; Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best (capt), Cian Healy

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Dave Kilcoyne, Andrew Porter, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, John Cooney, Joey Carbery, Jordan Larmour

Coach: Joe Schmidt (NZL)

Four motivational quotes from Alicia's Dubai talk

“The only thing we need is to know that we have faith. Faith and hope in our own dreams. The belief that, when we keep going we’re going to find our way. That’s all we got.”

“Sometimes we try so hard to keep things inside. We try so hard to pretend it’s not really bothering us. In some ways, that hurts us more. You don’t realise how dishonest you are with yourself sometimes, but I realised that if I spoke it, I could let it go.”

“One good thing is to know you’re not the only one going through it. You’re not the only one trying to find your way, trying to find yourself, trying to find amazing energy, trying to find a light. Show all of yourself. Show every nuance. All of your magic. All of your colours. Be true to that. You can be unafraid.”

“It’s time to stop holding back. It’s time to do it on your terms. It’s time to shine in the most unbelievable way. It’s time to let go of negativity and find your tribe, find those people that lift you up, because everybody else is just in your way.”

While you're here
The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

HOW TO WATCH

Facebook: TheNationalNews 

Twitter: @thenationalnews 

Instagram: @thenationalnews.com 

TikTok: @thenationalnews   

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EShaffra%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2023%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDIFC%20Innovation%20Hub%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Emetaverse-as-a-Service%20(MaaS)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Ecurrently%20closing%20%241.5%20million%20seed%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Epre-seed%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFlat6Labs%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20different%20PCs%20and%20angel%20investors%20from%20Saudi%20Arabia%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results for Stage 2

Stage 2 Yas Island to Abu Dhabi, 184 km, Road race

Overall leader: Primoz Roglic SLO (Team Jumbo - Visma)

Stage winners: 1. Fernando Gaviria COL (UAE Team Emirates) 2. Elia Viviani ITA (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) 3. Caleb Ewan AUS (Lotto - Soudal)

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

MATCH INFO

Leeds United 0

Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')

Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)

if you go

The flights

Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes. 

The hotels 

The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

LA LIGA FIXTURES

Friday

Granada v Real Betis (9.30pm)

Valencia v Levante (midnight)

Saturday

Espanyol v Alaves (4pm)

Celta Vigo v Villarreal (7pm)

Leganes v Real Valladolid (9.30pm)

Mallorca v Barcelona (midnight)

Sunday

Atletic Bilbao v Atletico Madrid (4pm)

Real Madrid v Eibar (9.30pm)

Real Sociedad v Osasuna (midnight)

Updated: November 04, 2022, 2:00 AM`