ABU DHABI // Emirati farmers and camel owners are suffering, a Federal National Council member told the Minister of Environment and Water.
The FNC sent an official letter to the minister, Dr Rashid bin Fahad, from FNC member Mosabeh Al Ketbi (Sharjah) questioning the ministry’s intentions to address its concerns.
Mr Al Ketbi said Emirati farmers had suffered great losses because of a lack of marketing support for their produce, leading them to leave farming altogether, while camels were dying daily because of an unknown disease.
In a written response Dr bin Fahad provided a list of efforts from the ministry to help farmers to sell their produce..
He noted that the number of farms in the country had increased from 7,759 in 1977 to 35,414 this year. Of those, 11,020 are in the Northern Emirates.
“The UAE is facing big challenges due to environmental conditions,” the minister wrote.
“High temperatures, the scarcity of water and other reasons relating to high costs of production and market competition from exported goods.”
He went on to say his ministry had helped farmers by offering free farming advice and technical support. Farmers have also been offered equipment at half price, and workshops on how to overcome obstacles.
“The ministry recently sponsored the start-up of the first cooperative society for farmers in the country [in RAK],” said Dr bin Fahad. “The [co-op] aims at marketing farmers’ products primarily.”
The ministry also helped to sell farmers’ produce by working with several retailers.
Last year, 55 kinds of produce were sold though the Etihad cooperative society. Produce totalled 500 tonnes and was valued at Dh9 million.
Dates were also heavily marketed. Last year the Sharjah Co-op and Lulu sold 200 tonnes for farmers.
Farmers were also encouraged to take part in annual exhibitions and to learn from marketing experts on how to sort and wrap their produce.
In another letter, the minister said camels were possibly dying because of long-distance transport, a lack of moving space, or fodder that contained bacteria. He said the deaths were limited.
But on Tuesday Mr Al Ketbi said he was not satisfied with the minister’s answers. He has asked for him to be summoned to the next FNC session.
osalem@thenational.ae
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How to report a beggar
Abu Dhabi – Call 999 or 8002626 (Aman Service)
Dubai – Call 800243
Sharjah – Call 065632222
Ras Al Khaimah - Call 072053372
Ajman – Call 067401616
Umm Al Quwain – Call 999
Fujairah - Call 092051100 or 092224411
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The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Kill%20Bill%20Volume%201
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Quentin%20Tarantino%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Uma%20Thurman%2C%20David%20Carradine%20and%20Michael%20Madsen%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%204.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
MATCH INFO
Who: UAE v USA
What: first T20 international
When: Friday, 2pm
Where: ICC Academy in Dubai
Boulder shooting victims
• Denny Strong, 20
• Neven Stanisic, 23
• Rikki Olds, 25
• Tralona Bartkowiak, 49
• Suzanne Fountain, 59
• Teri Leiker, 51
• Eric Talley, 51
• Kevin Mahoney, 61
• Lynn Murray, 62
• Jody Waters, 65
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
Bundesliga fixtures
Saturday, May 16 (kick-offs UAE time)
Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin (4.30pm)
Fortuna Dusseldorf v Paderborn (4.30pm)
Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
Werder Bremen v Bayer Leverkusen (9.30pm)
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports