UAE Launches Plant the Emirates' Initiative
The initiative aims to build on the work of HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father, who supported greening the country’s dry landscapes.
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has introduced the "Plant the Emirates," a national initiative designed to improve agricultural development and strengthen food security in the UAE. The initiative aims to build on the work of HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father, who supported greening the country’s dry landscapes.[1]
The program, announced during a UAE Cabinet meeting in Al Marmoom, Dubai, aligns with the "Year of Sustainability 2024" and is part of efforts to reduce the country's carbon footprint.
The program’s goals include promoting agriculture among younger generations and local communities, enhancing food security, and making agriculture sustainable. The national agricultural sector will provide technical support and work with businesses to achieve these goals.
The project includes expanding green spaces across the country and making agriculture more sustainable through the use of advanced technologies. It will make use of innovations like drones and artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor emissions and reduce the sector’s carbon footprint. It will also encourage restaurants, hotels, and local communities to prioritize locally-grown produce.
الإخوة والأخوات .. نطلق اليوم برنامجاً وطنياً لتنشيط وتحفيز القطاع الزراعي في دولة الإمارات .. وذلك ضمن اجتماع استثنائي لمجلس الوزراء بمزارع المرموم …
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) October 6, 2024
البرنامج الوطني "إزرع الإمارات" هدفه مواصلة إرث زايد رحمه الله ووصيته في تشجير وتخضير وتعمير أرض الإمارات بالزراعة ..… pic.twitter.com/rTk7iSxW6z
As part of the broader strategy, the National Agriculture Centre will be created to improve local production, enhance supply chains, promote UAE-grown crops, and lower agricultural production costs.
Over the next five years, the center aims to increase the number of productive farms by 20 percent, increase organic farming by 25 percent, and create a 30 percent adoption rate of climate-smart farming practices. Additionally, the program aims to cut agricultural waste by 50 percent and grow the agricultural workforce by 15 percent. It also expects that 85 percent of local farms will receive the national quality classification seal.
National campaigns, events, exhibitions, and seasonal markets will be organized to promote agricultural products under a single national identity.
The program will also organize volunteer activities, student competitions, and events that promote agricultural practices and new technologies.
