Farmer pins hopes on agriculture

Locally grown fresh produce is key to UAE food security.

Naser Al Zaabi, who has two farms, says the UAE has one of the world’s best climates for bell peppers. Christopher Pike / The National

ABU DHABI // Farming has been a passion for Naser Al Zaabi for almost 30 years.

Over three years the Emirati, 54, has converted one of his farms in Al Khatim outside the capital into a hydroponics system through the Khalifa Fund’s programme, Zaarie.

“Farming was greatly encouraged by the late Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, in the past,” Mr Al Zaabi said. “The Government really supported farmers.

“We produced and the Government took our products. In that time it was prestigious to have a farm and it became a habit for me.”

His farm produces tonnes of fresh produce a year, including tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, aubergine and melons.

He owns another farm in Al Taweelah, off the Abu Dhabi-Dubai road, where he produces mangoes, lemons and dates.

“I love farming,” Mr Al Zaabi said. “It’s my hobby because we produce good quality food and we minimise the use of water while manufacturing all the accessories needed to pack and sell and the equipment needed for farming in the UAE.”

He said he placed all his hopes in the future of the agricultural industry.

“The tomato business alone in the UAE is worth Dh2 billion a year and all vegetables about Dh40bn a year,” he said. “It’s a huge industry.

“We think about the future and we know the airports of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are expanding, which means more people coming to the country and we want to be able to produce good, fresh food for them.”

Mr Al Zaabi said he expected the UAE to become the region’s centre for the future of local produce.

“We produce 11 months in the year while in Europe, they produce five to six months in some places,” he said. “One of the best climates in the world for bell peppers is the UAE.

“The Government is now helping with infrastructure, which is huge. It will take time but it’s a good business.”

He said farming had become more business-orientated.

“We are working to support food security in the UAE,” Mr Al Zaabi said.

“We produce high quality products and it’s different to those coming from Europe because it’s more fresh.

“And we are certified. We have inspectors from Spain and the Farmers’ Services Centre who regularly visit our farms for hygiene, cleanliness and anything related to international standards.”