Agriculture exhibition in Al Ain from Feb 22

In a step to spread sustainable agriculture and cattle breeding methodologies among farmers of the emirate, the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) will hold an exhibition in Al Ain, the authority announced on Tuesday. The second agricultural exhibition will be held at the Al Ain Convention Centre in the on February 22-25 under the patronage of Shaikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority. There are around 24,000 farms in the emirate of which around 8,500 farms in the Western Region, some 12,000 in Al Ain and about 3,000 in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Farmer’s Services Centre (ADFSC), a part of ADFCA, targets to achieve 40 per cent presence of locally-produced fruits and vegetables in the market by 2015 and to reduce 40 per cent water consumption by 2013. The exhibition will see the participation of some leading food and agricultural brands, in addition to ADFCA, Farmer Service Centre and sponsors, government and semi-government entities, UAE-based international agricultural and livestock companies as well as farm and livestock owners. Mubarak Ali Mohammed Al Mansouri, Executive Director of Agriculture Affairs at the ADFCA, said: “Acknowledging the role of all sponsors and supporters of the exhibition, the event will promote the sense of belonging and sharing among farmers and livestock owners through showcasing their products and sharing the best practices aimed at raising the profile of agriculture in the UAE in general and Abu Dhabi in particular.” Mohammed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at the ADFCA, said: “The exhibition is one of the many initiatives undertaken by the ADFCA to improve the agricultural sector in Abu Dhabi by bettering the conditions of farmers and farm owners while promoting locally-grown produce to compete with international ones.” By offering free participation, the ADFCA is motivating all agriculture and livestock-related players to take part in the exhibition, Al Reyaysa said. Alongside the exhibition, there will be several activities such as symposiums, awareness programmes, cultural contests and some plays. Prizes will be awarded to the best government exhibitor, best exhibitor (company or factory or entity), as well as the best livestock-exhibitor. Cash awards will be granted to three top farms in Abu Dhabi, three best animal farms and the best agricultural technology at the show. In addition, an auction to sell some breeds of sheep and goats will be orgranised during the show. It will be managed by a special committee set up by the ADFCA and Farmers’ Service Centre as per the laws and regulations of Abu Dhabi.