The Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has approved 71 economic activities that can be carried out on agricultural lands to promote sustainable farming development and diversify the income sources of farm owners. The approved activities include 21 economic activities to support the plant sector, 24 activities related to the animal sector, 18 activities related to the food sector, and eight recreational activities such as holiday homes to support the tourism sector and promote the cultural development of the agricultural sector in Abu Dhabi.
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), led by Sheikh Mansour, is working to diversify the economic activities that can be carried out on farms to consolidate the food security system, increase local plant and animal production, and promote agri-tourism. To maintain the balance between economic development and agricultural sustainability, ADAFSA has set the requirements and construction limit permissible for economic activities on agricultural lands to not exceed 30% of the total farm area, if there is a main licensed plant or animal activity on the farm.
It is important to note that the economic activities practised are limited only to the farm owner, and the trade license must be issued in the name of the farm owner. The move aims to encourage the development of the agricultural sector in Abu Dhabi and to enhance food security in the UAE. Saeed Al Bahri Al Ameri, Director-General of ADAFSA, said that the new initiatives will benefit from the recreational activities available at many of the crop and livestock farms in Abu Dhabi, and will create new job opportunities, especially in the agri-tourism sector.
