Sean Lee, director of Smart Acres, at the hydroponics farm at the Armed Forces Officers Club, Abu Dhabi, which produces lettuce and leafy greens for sale in UAE supermarkets. Victor Besa / The National
Sean Lee, director of Smart Acres, at the hydroponics farm at the Armed Forces Officers Club, Abu Dhabi, which produces lettuce and leafy greens for sale in UAE supermarkets. Victor Besa / The National
Lettuce is grown in converted shipping containers. Victor Besa / The National
Lettuce is grown in converted shipping containers. Victor Besa / The National
The produce grown using hydroponics. Victor Besa / The National
The produce grown using hydroponics. Victor Besa / The National
Sean Lee, director of the Smart Acres hydroponics farm. We want it to be commercially viable, he said.Victor Besa / The National
Sean Lee, director of the Smart Acres hydroponics farm. We want it to be commercially viable, he said.Victor Besa / The National
The farm is spread across eight converted shipping containers. Victor Besa / The National
The farm is spread across eight converted shipping containers. Victor Besa / The National
The UAE’s newest vertical farm, Smart Acres, has started operation. All photos courtesy Smart Acres
The UAE’s newest vertical farm, Smart Acres, has started operation. All photos courtesy Smart Acres
The company collaborated with n.thing, a Korean-based technology company, to design the farm modules.
The company collaborated with n.thing, a Korean-based technology company, to design the farm modules.
Smart Acres grows fresh produce for UAE residents and businesses.
Smart Acres grows fresh produce for UAE residents and businesses.
Smart Acres says its system not only consumes less resources but generates ultra-high quality crops.
Smart Acres says its system not only consumes less resources but generates ultra-high quality crops.
Smart Acres was founded to improve food security in the UAE and develop the country’s farming capabilities.
Smart Acres was founded to improve food security in the UAE and develop the country’s farming capabilities.
Smart Acres is in talks with hypermarkets and government entities to expand their distribution of produce across the country.
Smart Acres is in talks with hypermarkets and government entities to expand their distribution of produce across the country.

UAE

Environment

Abu Dhabi launches sustainable agriculture plan to boost local farming

All farms in the emirate will be required to adopt smart farming policies to reduce water usage

Georgia Tolley
Georgia Tolley

November 07, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

A new agricultural development plan aimed at increasing the efficiency of sustainable farming has been launched by Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority.

It is designed to encourage all of the emirate’s farmers to adopt a climate-smart approach.

“The comprehensive plan for agricultural sustainability supports the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic Initiative, and is in line with global trends to promote climate-smart agriculture and the food production,” said Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and chairman of the board of directors of Adafsa.

“The climate neutrality initiative contributes to promoting sustainable development and supports innovation, technology localisation, the development of modern farming techniques, food security, and the conservation of natural resources.”

The objective of climate-smart agriculture is to increase productivity and economic return from farming, while adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

By integrating the way farms operate in Abu Dhabi, Adafsa hopes to improve water usage in the emirate and reduce reliance on its finite supply of groundwater.

Farmers will be encouraged to use recycled or desalinated water sources and to cultivate crops that consume less water and are more resilient to the hot, salty climate of the UAE.

Laws governing water consumption will also be introduced.

Organic farming

Farmers pick out ripe eggplants from the field. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
Farmers pick out ripe eggplants from the field. All photos by Victor Besa / The National
The massive organic farm in the middle of the Al Ain desert.
The massive organic farm in the middle of the Al Ain desert.
A farmer carries a bucket to harvest organic green capsicums.
A farmer carries a bucket to harvest organic green capsicums.
Organic beetroot is harvested.
Organic beetroot is harvested.
Farmers clear the tomato field to give way to a new planting season at Emirates Bio Farm.
Farmers clear the tomato field to give way to a new planting season at Emirates Bio Farm.
Farmers clear the tomato field to give way to a new planting season.
Farmers clear the tomato field to give way to a new planting season.
One of the greenhouses at the farm.
One of the greenhouses at the farm.
Assorted organic vegetables after being washed before sent to the packing station.
Assorted organic vegetables after being washed before sent to the packing station.
Assorted organic vegetables at the shop.
Assorted organic vegetables at the shop.
Organic dried tomatoes in olive oil being packed for delivery.
Organic dried tomatoes in olive oil being packed for delivery.
Organic honey from the farm.
Organic honey from the farm.
Freshly baked whole wheat organic bread with pumpkin seeds from the organic kitchen.
Freshly baked whole wheat organic bread with pumpkin seeds from the organic kitchen.
Organic fresh farm eggs at the EBF store.
Organic fresh farm eggs at the EBF store.
A store worker arranges online orders for delivery.
A store worker arranges online orders for delivery.

Farmers in Abu Dhabi have already been encouraged to shift towards organic agriculture, and 75 farms have made the transition.

Adafsa’s research stations are also investigating the viability of various smart farming techniques, including vertical farms that can produce five to 10 times the yields of traditional agriculture, and drip irrigation techniques to improve water efficiency.

Researchers are also exploring ways to identify and predict epidemics and animal diseases by using integrated algorithms.

Adafsa has prepared its agriculture plan in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.

Read more

Strawberries and rocket: vertical farm in Abu Dhabi plans to expand

The Authority has recently launched the Abu Dhabi Gap programme, a local version of the Global Gap Global Agricultural Practices Programme, which applies standards of quality agricultural production to ensure food safety, sustainable environmental management and the health of workers in its production.

Farms applying these standards are granted a globally recognised certificate.

So far, 550 farms in Abu Dhabi have received it, a number expected to rise to about 1,500 by the end of next year.

UAE fish farm - in pictures

Bader Bin Mubarak, the chief executive of Fish Farm: 'We’ve made salmon in the desert, it’s pretty remarkable.' All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
Bader Bin Mubarak, the chief executive of Fish Farm: 'We’ve made salmon in the desert, it’s pretty remarkable.' All photos by Pawan Singh / The National
A tank of UAE-reared salmon at Dubai-based company Fish Farm's facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone. In November 2017, Fish Farm relocated some 40,000 baby salmon to Dubai from remote seas off Scotland.
A tank of UAE-reared salmon at Dubai-based company Fish Farm's facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone. In November 2017, Fish Farm relocated some 40,000 baby salmon to Dubai from remote seas off Scotland.
Hundreds of salmon swim inside one of the tanks at Fish Farm's base in Dubai. The company, which also produces hammour, sea bream, sea bass and shrimp, has 34 tanks at its Jebel Ali facility, four of which are used for salmon.
Hundreds of salmon swim inside one of the tanks at Fish Farm's base in Dubai. The company, which also produces hammour, sea bream, sea bass and shrimp, has 34 tanks at its Jebel Ali facility, four of which are used for salmon.
The salmon is farmed to market size, which is 3-5 kilograms.
The salmon is farmed to market size, which is 3-5 kilograms.
From 2020, Fish Farm will sell the first salmon that are 100 per cent born and bred in the UAE, as eggs from the current stock have hatched and the fish are being reared to market size.
From 2020, Fish Farm will sell the first salmon that are 100 per cent born and bred in the UAE, as eggs from the current stock have hatched and the fish are being reared to market size.
Fish Farm has created artificial habitats for the fish to thrive – from a freshwater ‘river’ tank three metres deep, to a six-metre-deep saltwater ‘ocean’, with automatic transfer pumps connecting each tank.
Fish Farm has created artificial habitats for the fish to thrive – from a freshwater ‘river’ tank three metres deep, to a six-metre-deep saltwater ‘ocean’, with automatic transfer pumps connecting each tank.
A water treatment plant at Fish Farm's facility. The company has invested in technology and infrastructure to control water salinity, depth and temperature, and even introduce currents and artificial weather conditions in the tanks.
A water treatment plant at Fish Farm's facility. The company has invested in technology and infrastructure to control water salinity, depth and temperature, and even introduce currents and artificial weather conditions in the tanks.
Bader Al Mubarak, chief executive of Dubai’s Fish Farm, holds a salmon fish at the company's headquarters in Jebel Ali. Mr Al Mubarak is also deputy chairman of Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries.
Bader Al Mubarak, chief executive of Dubai’s Fish Farm, holds a salmon fish at the company's headquarters in Jebel Ali. Mr Al Mubarak is also deputy chairman of Dubai Council for Marine and Maritime Industries.
Salmon is one of the top four most popular types of fish consumed in the UAE, along with hammour, sea bream and sea bass.
Salmon is one of the top four most popular types of fish consumed in the UAE, along with hammour, sea bream and sea bass.
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UAE currency
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Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km

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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder

Transmission: seven-speed auto

Power: 400hp

Torque: 500Nm

Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)

On sale: 2022 

Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches 

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

War and the virus
Pharaoh's curse

British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

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UAE v IRELAND

All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi

1st ODI, Friday, January 8

2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10

3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12

4th ODI, Thursday, January 14

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
How much sugar is in chocolate Easter eggs?
  • The 169g Crunchie egg has 15.9g of sugar per 25g serving, working out at around 107g of sugar per egg
  • The 190g Maltesers Teasers egg contains 58g of sugar per 100g for the egg and 19.6g of sugar in each of the two Teasers bars that come with it
  • The 188g Smarties egg has 113g of sugar per egg and 22.8g in the tube of Smarties it contains
  • The Milky Bar white chocolate Egg Hunt Pack contains eight eggs at 7.7g of sugar per egg
  • The Cadbury Creme Egg contains 26g of sugar per 40g egg
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Brunch has been around, is some form or another, for more than a century. The word was first mentioned in print in an 1895 edition of Hunter’s Weekly, after making the rounds among university students in Britain. The article, entitled Brunch: A Plea, argued the case for a later, more sociable weekend meal. “By eliminating the need to get up early on Sunday, brunch would make life brighter for Saturday night carousers. It would promote human happiness in other ways as well,” the piece read. “It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” More than 100 years later, author Guy Beringer’s words still ring true, especially in the UAE, where brunches are often used to mark special, sociable occasions.

Jumanji: The Next Level

Director: Jake Kasdan

Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Nick Jonas 

Two out of five stars 

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

On Women's Day
The%20specs
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The specs

Engine: Dual 180kW and 300kW front and rear motors

Power: 480kW

Torque: 850Nm

Transmission: Single-speed automatic

Price: From Dh359,900 ($98,000)

On sale: Now

Torbal Rayeh Wa Jayeh
Starring: Ali El Ghoureir, Khalil El Roumeithy, Mostafa Abo Seria
Stars: 3

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F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Agricultural Production