The National Agriculture Centre (NAC) has held an interactive workshop in Dibba, Fujairah, bringing together farmers from Fujairah and the eastern regions of Ras Al Khaimah to discuss agricultural challenges, exchange expertise and learn more about government initiatives supporting local farming.
The workshop was organised ahead of the new growing season and coincided with the date-marketing season, when farmers are preparing their land, maintaining irrigation systems and securing essential production inputs.
Held at the Dibba Society for Culture, Arts & Theatre, the event was the second in a series of direct farmer workshops organised by the NAC across the UAE. The meetings are intended to strengthen communication with farmers, understand their needs and ensure that agricultural programmes and services reflect challenges faced on farms.
Focus on agricultural efficiency and sustainability
During the workshop, farmers discussed production, marketing and agricultural services, as well as ways to improve farm efficiency through modern technologies and more sustainable resource-management practices.
The NAC highlighted its Integrated Agricultural Centres project, which aims to bring a range of agricultural services closer to farmers. These include technical and extension support, production inputs, and connections between farming, packaging, marketing and distribution.
The initiative is designed to improve access to technical and operational assistance while strengthening efficiency across the agricultural value chain.
Al Hamraniyah Centre introduced to farmers
Participants were also briefed on the Al Hamraniyah Centre in Ras Al Khaimah, which has been developed in collaboration with Silal to improve agricultural services and strengthen market connections for locally produced goods.
Silal representatives explained the registration process and outlined the potential benefits of marketing agricultural products through the centre. Farmers were also able to ask questions about marketing procedures, pricing and payment mechanisms.
Interest in UAE Good Agricultural Practices programme
Another key focus of the workshop was the UAE Good Agricultural Practices (UAE G.A.P.) programme, a national framework based on approved international standards aimed at improving agricultural quality, safety, traceability and production efficiency.
The programme is being implemented in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) as part of wider national efforts to encourage the adoption of recognised agricultural practices.
According to the NAC, UAE G.A.P. certification can help farmers meet quality and traceability requirements, develop relationships with retailers and supply chains, access new markets and improve the efficiency of farming operations.
The NAC team explained the certification process, including registration, documentation, implementation of required practices, field assessments and certification requirements. Several farmers expressed their interest by signing preliminary agreements to begin the registration process during the workshop.
Farmers to play key role in agricultural development
Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, Director General of NAC, said continued collaboration between the public and private sectors is essential to developing an integrated agricultural ecosystem in which farmers play an active role in shaping services and initiatives.
He said direct engagement with farmers allows the Centre to better understand challenges on the ground, collect suggestions and develop programmes that can respond to changing priorities in the agricultural sector.
Al Shamsi also described the UAE G.A.P. programme as a practical tool for helping farmers improve their operations and ensure their produce meets market requirements, potentially opening additional marketing channels and strengthening supply-chain relationships.
He added that the Integrated Agricultural Centres connect different stages of the agricultural value chain, from planning and production to technical support, post-harvest activities, marketing and distribution.
Supporting the UAE's food security goals
The farmer engagement programme supports the UAE's wider efforts to strengthen national food security and improve the sustainability of domestic agricultural production.
It also contributes to the objectives of the Plant the Emirates national programme, which promotes modern agricultural technologies, sustainable practices and greater efficiency in local food production.
The workshop concluded with an open discussion covering challenges faced by farmers in production, agricultural services and marketing. NAC representatives responded to participants' questions about its programmes and initiatives.
Feedback gathered during the session will be used to inform the Centre's upcoming services and programmes, with the aim of improving responsiveness to farmers' needs and strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of the UAE's agricultural sector.
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