ABU DHABI // Farming authorities are planning to cut the use of water used for agriculture, forests and parks from about three quarters of total consumption to less than half.
New figures show such purposes account for 72 per cent of the emirate's water use, says a report by The National's Arabic-language sister paper, Al Ittihad.
The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority has set a target of cutting agricultural water use by 40 cent from its September 2011 level by the end of this year. That would double the amount available for other purposes.
Mohamed Jalal Al Rayssi, communications director for the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, said the move would "affect our environment and the future of the next generations".
A study on the sustainable management of ground water in Abu Dhabi, issued by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and ADFCA, found that agriculture, forests and parks accounted for 72 per cent of water use, but contributed less than 1 per cent to the economy.
"Agriculture is the largest consumer of water in Abu Dhabi," said Mr Al Rayssi. "Rhodes grass uses the most water with 59 per cent of all the irrigation water used in the emirate, followed by date palm trees with 36 per cent."
"This kind of environment has very low rain throughout the year and a very harsh environment," Mr Al Rayssi said.
"The area that uses the majority of water in the UAE and other places in the world is agriculture."
Demand for desalinated, processed and ground water is expected to rise by 30 per cent by 2030.
The agency recently embarked on a new project to save ground water. It now uses 27 million litres of treated waste water a day to irrigate food crops on 220 farms across Abu Dhabi.
"Water demand is expected to rise," said Dr Mohamed Dawoud, the agency's manager of water resources. "But we can try to control water used in agriculture by using new technologies and new irrigation systems. This might lead to its decrease."
A five-year action plan is currently being prepared. It will require residents as well as government bodies to drastically cut their water use.
"It all depends on the actions that are done towards this," said Dr Dawoud. "If it's business as usual, then the situation will not improve."
He said the first step was more efficient irrigation systems. "Using more efficient technologies for agricultural production such as greenhouses, new technologies for irrigation, hydroponics and soilless systems is [vital]," he said.
"We should also use cash crops, instead of growing high water-consuming crops like Rhodes grass. All this will lead to a dramatic decrease in agricultural water use."
"I'm hopeful it will decrease in the future, especially with this momentum of improving the agricultural and irrigation sectors, I think we can do it."
cmalek@thenational.ae
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
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.
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
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
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)