Agriculture
From The Report: Abu Dhabi 2013
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Like much of the Gulf region, Abu Dhabi is largely made up of desert, and as such, agriculture accounts for only a small proportion of the economic output of the emirate – less than 1% of GDP. Despite Abu Dhabi importing the majority of its food, the sector is set to witness important developments in areas such as aquaculture, organic food and water conservation. Date production continues to be a key pillar of agriculture; in 2008 the UAE produced 755,000 tonnes of dates and exported 280,000 tonnes – making it the fourth-largest producer and single largest exporter that year. Overall, population growth and rising affluence mean that the sector is likely to become increasingly important going forward. This chapter includes interviews with Rashed Mohamed Al Shariqi, Director-General, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA); and Khadim Abdulla Al Darei, Managing Director, Al Dahra.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

A fresh approach: Focusing on developing niche products and reducing water usage
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Like much of the Gulf region, Abu Dhabi is largely made up of desert, and as such, agriculture accounts for only a small proportion of the economic output of the emirate – less than 1% of GDP in 2011, according to the Statistics Centre-Abu Dhabi (SCAD). Nevertheless, agriculture has a longer local history than one might initially expect – archaeological evidence suggests the oasis of Al Ain in the south-east of the emirate has been cultivated since the third millennium BCE – and the Abu…

Analysis

Bearing fruit: Promoting date brands with more added value
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The date has long featured heavily in Emirati agriculture, due to both the country’s climate and the plant’s intrinsic properties. Date palms are the only fruit-bearing plant that can be cultivated out of doors (as opposed to in greenhouses) in the harsh desert climate, and moreover, the tree’s strong roots help to bind sandy soils together, meaning other plants, such as vegetables, can be planted in between. A KEY CROP: Dates are highly nutritious, containing high levels of vitamin…

Interview

The changing culture of agriculture: OBG talks to Rashed Mohamed Al Shariqi, Director-General, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA)
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Interview: Rashed Mohamed Al Shariqi In what ways can technology play a role within the local agriculture sector, particularly with regards to water conservation and management? RASHED MOHAMED AL SHARIQI: Technology can and must play a major role in any conservation initiative. Though expensive in the short term, technology helps to achieve sustainability in the long term. The latest technology platforms in agriculture, such as hydroponics, aeroponics and greenhouses, are currently used in Abu…

Interview

OBG talks to Khadim Abdulla Al Darei, Managing Director, Al Dahra
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Interview: Khadim Abdulla Al Darei What can be done to increase food security for the UAE? To what extent will investing in agriculture abroad help fulfil this objective? KHADIM AL DAREI: The biggest challenge facing the UAE and its future generations is the scarcity of water. We are living in a desert area and most of our water comes through desalination. Previously, the government was fully subsidising the production of crops and animal feed. However, this process turned out to be highly…

Analysis

A sea of potential: Aquaculture is on the rise and can help enhance food security
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Fishing in Abu Dhabi is set for a period of transition. Once one of the emirate’s major industries before the discovery of oil, like many other traditional activities it has faced a long decline over the past four decades. However, the next few years hold promise of a turnaround for the industry, which should see a period of major reorganisation. While demand for fish continues to rise, the sector is slowly moving away from a traditional structure, with fish farming (also known as aquaculture)…