UAE-grown raspberries, blackberries and strawberries to hit the shelves


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Locally-grown raspberries, blackberries and strawberries will soon be on sale across the UAE.

Elite Agro, a UAE food producer, is bringing commercial quantities of the fruits to the market for the first time.

The move aims to reduce farm-to-shelf delivery times and comes as the UAE bolsters its food security by producing more and more food, from oysters to lettuce, in the country.

We’re proud to be the UAE’s only producer of locally-grown blueberries
Ian Summerfield,
Elite Agro

“As part of our commitment to deliver the freshest farm produce to our customers, we’re expanding our range of high-quality crops to include three new types of berries,” said Ian Summerfield, chief executive of Elite Agro.

“We’re proud to be the UAE’s only producer of locally-grown blueberries and we’re confident that this expansion will open even more opportunities to achieve greater success in sustainable farming, in line with the UAE’s food security strategy,” he said.

The berry saplings were first planted in November 2021 at the company's farm in Al Foah in Al Ain. They are grown in temperature-controlled greenhouses using drip irrigation in coco peat, perlite and other substances. Each plant is naturally pollinated by a family of “loveable and very helpful” bumblebees, the company said.

Its raspberry production area is now 1.8 hectares with about 18,500 stems per hectare, and is expected to yield 18 tonnes of raspberries per hectare.

The blackberry production area is 1.2 hectares with an average of 30,000 stems per hectare, and is expected to yield 20 tonnes per hectare.

The all-new berry range will be available in retail stores such as Spinneys and Carrefour in the coming weeks under the “elite berry” brand, or they can be ordered online.

Over the past few years, increasing amounts of food are being grown in the UAE using advanced methods such as indoor vertical farms to grow leafy greens in Abu Dhabi to organic farmed salmon in huge tanks in Jebel Ali.

Earlier this week, Mariam Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said the transformation to sustainable food systems was an “urgent task and we don’t have a lot of time".

“The UAE seeks to become a leading exporter of sustainable agricultural solutions for hot and arid climates.

Ms Al Mheiri was speaking after a UAE and US-led global coalition to enhance food security and limit the impact of climate change announced a plan to double its investment target from $4 billion to $8bn by the time Cop27 begins in Egypt this November.

The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) had its first ministerial-level meeting in Dubai on Monday.

The projects aims to work with small farm holders in low and middle income countries to promote emerging technologies and agro-ecological research.

The UAE's vertical farms producing lettuce — in pictures

JAPAN SQUAD

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

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Gayle (23'), Perez (59', 63')

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Other simple ideas for sushi rice dishes

Cheat’s nigiri 
This is easier to make than sushi rolls. With damp hands, form the cooled rice into small tablet shapes. Place slices of fresh, raw salmon, mackerel or trout (or smoked salmon) lightly touched with wasabi, then press, wasabi side-down, onto the rice. Serve with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Easy omurice
This fusion dish combines Asian fried rice with a western omelette. To make, fry cooked and cooled sushi rice with chopped vegetables such as carrot and onion and lashings of sweet-tangy ketchup, then wrap in a soft egg omelette.

Deconstructed sushi salad platter 
This makes a great, fuss-free sharing meal. Arrange sushi rice on a platter or board, then fill the space with all your favourite sushi ingredients (edamame beans, cooked prawns or tuna, tempura veggies, pickled ginger and chilli tofu), with a dressing or dipping sauce on the side.

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MATCH DETAILS

Liverpool 2

Wijnaldum (14), Oxlade-Chamberlain (52)

Genk 1

Samatta (40)

 

Dubai Rugby Sevens

November 30, December 1-2
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Christina Noble Children’s Foundation fixtures

Thursday, November 30:

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9am, Pitch 4, v SBA Pirates

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Day 3 stumps

New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)

Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining

How to wear a kandura

Dos

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UAE squad

Men's draw: Victor Scvortov and Khalifa Al Hosani, (both 73 kilograms), Sergiu Toma and Mihail Marchitan (90kg), Ivan Remarenco (100kg), Ahmed Al Naqbi (60kg), Musabah Al Shamsi and Ahmed Al Hosani (66kg)

Women’s draw: Maitha Al Neyadi (57kg)

Quick pearls of wisdom

Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”

Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.” 

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5pm: Al Maha Stables – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Reem Baynounah, Fernando Jara (jockey), Mohamed Daggash (trainer)

5.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: AF Afham, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Emirates Fillies Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Ghallieah, Sebastien Martino, Jean-Claude Pecout

6.30pm: Emirates Colts Classic – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Yas Xmnsor, Saif Al Balushi, Khalifa Al Neyadi

7pm: The President’s Cup – Group 1 (PA) Dh2,500,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Somoud, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle

7.30pm: The President’s Cup – Listed (TB) Dh380,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Haqeeqy, Dane O’Neill, John Hyde.

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
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Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

The Vile

Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah

Director: Majid Al Ansari

Rating: 4/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Updated: February 24, 2022, 12:21 PM