The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has issued a decision to regulate small-scale plant production farms in Abu Dhabi. This decision complements the decision of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ADAFSA No. (3) of 2020 issuing the Agricultural Requirements System for the Farms of Abu Dhabi.
The decision is an important step towards regulating the practice of plant production in small-scale farms and achieving sustainable agricultural development. This will be achieved by maintaining the sustainability of the natural resources on the farms, improving the income of the farmers and supporting the local produce, which will contribute to strengthening the food security system in the emirate.
The decision sets clear rules for the practice of plant production on farms, which contributes to improving the quality of local agricultural products and increasing the competitiveness of local agricultural products on the market. This will help to increase the return on investment in agriculture.
The decision provides smallholders with a clear regulatory environment for plant production and improves marketing opportunities for local products. It also provides technical and training support to farmers and encourages the consumption of local products, contributing to the development of the agricultural sector.
The decision lays down conditions and controls for the practice of plant production on small farms. These include maintaining general hygiene in the farm and its facilities and obtaining official approvals before setting up packing houses. The decision also requires the use of materials approved for food use in the processing of plant products. It also regulates the use of the farm's trade name, the documentation of agricultural operations carried out on the plant product and the provision of records showing the quantities of production that have been disposed of. It also requires the establishment of a traceability system to ensure the identification of the plant product.
Eng Ahmed Khalid Othman, Executive Director of the Agricultural Affairs Sector at ADAFSA, said: "This decision reaffirms the Abu Dhabi Government's commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and providing a working environment that supports their efforts to achieve sustainable development in the agricultural sector in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and enhance food security".
Eng Othman reiterated ADAFSA's commitment to providing all forms of support to small-scale farmers to enable them to develop their farms and increase productivity. Eng Othman explained that ADAFSA is working to provide advanced extension and training services to farmers to help them adopt best agricultural practices and improve the quality of agricultural products. ADAFSA also supports scientific research and development in the agricultural sector to develop modern agricultural technologies that contribute to increasing production and improving the efficiency of resource use.
Eng Othman said: "This regulation complements the decision of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of ADAFSA No. (3) of 2020 issuing the Agricultural Requirements System for the Farms of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which is a fundamental step to strengthen food security by increasing plant production and improving local produce quality. The system supports the sustainability of agricultural production and establishes the position of the local product".
Eng Othman also expressed his confidence that this decision will have a great positive impact on the agricultural sector in Abu Dhabi and contribute to achieving sustainable development and enhancing food security. Eng Othman called on all members of society to support local produce and buy directly from farmers, believing in the importance of supporting the agricultural sector and achieving food security in Abu Dhabi.
