National Agriculture Centre strengthens support for Emirati farmers through Ras Al Khaimah workshop

The National Agriculture Centre (NAC) has organised an interactive workshop for farmers in Ras Al Khaimah as part of its ongoing regional engagement programme aimed at strengthening direct communication with farmers, raising awareness of available services, and gathering feedback to support the sustainable development of the UAE’s agricultural sector.

The initiative aligns with the UAE leadership’s vision of empowering Emirati farmers and reinforcing agriculture as a cornerstone of national food security under the ‘Plant the Emirates’ programme.

The workshop focused on three key themes: understanding farmers’ needs and reinforcing their role in agricultural development, introducing initiatives that support climate-smart farming and sustainable resource management, and fostering partnerships to build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

A key highlight was the Integrated Agricultural Centres Project, which provides farmers with a comprehensive range of services through centres located across the UAE. The initiative offers agricultural extension services, production inputs, and support across the value chain, including packaging, marketing and distribution, with the aim of improving operational efficiency, strengthening agricultural value chains and enhancing the competitiveness of locally grown produce.

In Al Hamraniyah, Ras Al Khaimah, the project is being implemented in collaboration with Silal, which presented farmers with details of the registration and marketing process while addressing questions related to pricing, payments and marketing operations.

Participants were also introduced to the UAE Good Agricultural Practices (UAEG.A.P.) programme, developed in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA). The programme enables certified farms to meet internationally recognised standards for quality, food safety and traceability, while improving access to retail supply chains and export markets.

During the workshop, NAC officials explained the certification process, covering registration requirements, documentation, field evaluations and certification procedures. Several participating farmers signed preliminary UAEG.A.P. registration agreements during the session.

Sultan Salem Al Shamsi, Director General of the National Agriculture Centre, said farmers remain central to the country's agricultural development strategy and play a vital role in shaping projects designed to strengthen the sector.

He noted that the centre is committed to engaging directly with farmers to better understand their needs and involve them in developing services and solutions that support sustainable farming practices.

Al Shamsi added that the Integrated Agricultural Centres connect every stage of the agricultural value chain—from planning and production to technical guidance, post-harvest operations, marketing and distribution—helping farmers improve crop quality, overcome operational challenges, access new markets and increase the value of their produce.

He also highlighted that the UAEG.A.P. programme transforms approved agricultural standards into a measurable framework that enhances food safety, strengthens farm management, promotes responsible use of water and agricultural inputs, and improves documentation and traceability, ultimately boosting the competitiveness of UAE-grown products.

According to Al Shamsi, the programme also supports the UAE’s transition towards smart agriculture by leveraging data and artificial intelligence to optimise farming practices, improve productivity and enable more efficient resource management.

The workshop concluded with interactive discussions on production, marketing and service-related challenges facing farmers. Feedback gathered during the session will be used to further develop programmes and services that respond to the evolving needs of the UAE’s farming community.