Farmers in Abu Dhabi are being offered tips to protect their produce from frost as temperatures plunge. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Food Safety and Agriculture Authority.
Farmers in Abu Dhabi are being offered tips to protect their produce from frost as temperatures plunge. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Food Safety and Agriculture Authority.
Farmers in Abu Dhabi are being offered tips to protect their produce from frost as temperatures plunge. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Food Safety and Agriculture Authority.
Farmers in Abu Dhabi are being offered tips to protect their produce from frost as temperatures plunge. Courtesy: Abu Dhabi Food Safety and Agriculture Authority.

Plunging temperatures prompt frost warning to Abu Dhabi farmers


Haneen Dajani
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE is enjoying the chilliest winter in years, but for keen gardeners and farmers, the morning frost is a challenge.

Sub-zero temperatures combined with fog and damp conditions led to thin layers of morning frost that can be enough to ruin a carefully manicured garden or a full-fledged farm.

On Monday, farmers in Abu Dhabi were warned about "cold waves" that could harm their produce and officials from Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority offered tips to help protect their fruit and vegetables.

During a visit to the Rukna region of Al Ain last week, The National saw icicles on trees and plants. Early risers has to scrape ice off their cars.

The agriculture authority said such icy temperatures could be a menace to farmers.

"This could lead to major economic losses," the authority said.

Farmers were advised to cover their produce with a canvas or net and to plant windbreakers across their farms to reduce the likelihood of frost forming.

“The windbreakers could be in the form of trees or building a siege around the farm,” said Adel Al Saeedi, a manager at the authority.

Another trick is to use cold-resistant seeds, he said.

“The most important thing is irrigation. In cold weather, farmers should water their plants at noon when it is warmest and it should be done sparingly," Mr Al Saeedi said.

He said the cold weather mostly affected plants "because they are in a bare area, there is nothing to protect them from the cold air mass".

Major changes in temperature can kill plants and spoil a farmer's produce.

"Plants need a certain level of temperature to blossom and extreme drops kill the plants, because the fluid inside the plant cells freezes," he said.

"Over the past few days, we have witnessed the temperature dropping below 10°C at times, and below zero in Rukna.

"However, none of the farmers reported plant deaths because we were able to save them."

In addition to educating farmers about precautionary measures through social media, representatives from the authority visited farms to offer advice.

"If any farmers face issues, they can also seek help from our guidance centres. There are 15 of them spread across the emirate and they provide all kinds of support," he said.

Mr Al Saeedi said the cold weather could continue for some time.

“We expect anything. The UAE climate is unstable so we always warn farmers to be alert. The cold waves could return any time," he said.

MATCH INFO

Sheffield United 0 Wolves 2 (Jimenez 3', Saiss 6)

Man of the Match Romain Saiss (Wolves)

In numbers: China in Dubai

The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000

Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000

Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000

Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent

INVESTMENT PLEDGES

Cartlow: $13.4m

Rabbitmart: $14m

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THREE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
HAJJAN
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ENGLAND SQUAD

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THE SPECS

Aston Martin Rapide AMR

Engine: 6.0-litre V12

Transmission: Touchtronic III eight-speed automatic

Power: 595bhp

Torque: 630Nm

Price: Dh999,563

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S23%20ULTRA
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No more lice

Defining head lice

Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.

Identifying lice

Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.

Treating lice at home

Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.

Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital

The%20specs
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Company%20profile
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The bio

Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district

Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school

Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family

His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people

Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned

Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates

MATCH INFO

Southampton 0
Manchester City 1
(Sterling 16')

Man of the match: Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

 

 

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How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
While you're here
THE CARD

2pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

2.30pm: Handicap Dh 76,000 (D) 1,400m

3pm: Handicap Dh 64,000 (D) 1,200m

3.30pm: Shadwell Farm Conditions Dh 100,000 (D) 1,000m

4pm: Maiden Dh 60,000 (D) 1,000m

4.30pm: Handicap 64,000 (D) 1,950m