Dubai’s government is developing more organic farms, but oil-dependent desalination plants used for water casts a shadow on their carbon footprint
News from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates tended to be dominated by new construction projects being announced or more recently debts levels, but it seems that the government is making a serious push to promote organic farming as well. The National is reporting that the government in Dubai plans to add 23 new organic farms by June 2011 to the 17 that already exist.
Work on the new farms will start in September by converting existing farms into organic and by constructing greenhouses that will allow fruit and vegetables to grow in a cooler environment, as outside temperatures can reach 45 Celsius or 102 Fahrenheit during the summer months.
In addition, the government will add new laws that regulate both local and imported organic foods that will include a trademark to make it easier for consumers to find the organic products.
Most of us might only think of Dubai as one big city but there are surrounding areas with a rich biodiversity and wildlife.
Growing Popularity
Over the last few years organic produce has become more popular in the Emirates as people have tired of fruits and vegetables being imported, which may have the advantage of always having everything available but with a taste that is often described as not quite the real thing.
Is Desalinated Water Organic?
In a country that gets 90% of its water via desalination the question is whether anything grown locally can be called organic considering the use of oil to power the desalination plants.
“As long as you have local water you cannot achieve a low carbon footprint because of the desalination required. Composting is incredibly difficult to do in the heat. We’re fighting the elements,” Nils el Accad, the owner of Organic Foods & Café an organic supermarket in Dubai was quoted by the National as saying.
El Accad also said that when considering the carbon footprint it might actually be better to develop organic farms abroad and then import the produce via ship; the UAE and other Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia have already purchased farmlands in both Africa and Asia to attain food security as domestic agriculture is not able to meet the demands of an ever growing population.
:: The National
Read more about the Gulf:
New Beetle And Wasp Species Discovered In Dubai’s Wadi Wurayah Protected Area
Abu Dhabi’s Costly Desalination Plants Prompt Wastewater Treatment Plans
Strategic Foresight Group’s Forecasts for Water in the Middle East
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Author: Matt Khoury
Matt grew up with a love for nature; be it as a boy scout or working in his dad’s garden. After finishing University and traveling the Middle East, by cheer luck Matt got a change to try out journalism and has remained in the field ever since focusing on new cleanteach and the money behind it. In addition to news, Matt has also written several research papers on cleantech for international corporation.
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Author: Matt Khoury
Matt grew up with a love for nature; be it as a boy scout or working in his dad’s garden. After finishing University and traveling the Middle East, by cheer luck Matt got a change to try out journalism and has remained in the field ever since focusing on new cleanteach and the money behind it. In addition to news, Matt has also written several research papers on cleantech for international corporation.
Dear Sir,, i am a Horticulture consultant working in Mumbai, INDIA and visiting IPM plant expo in Dubai from 9th November to 11th November. i did M.Sc and Ph.D in Horticulture and have experience over 27 years in the field of Teaching, Research, Agricultural extension work. worked in the agriculture university as professor for five years and then in the fertilizer industry for 22 years. i also visited ISRAEL on scholarship to learn the green house technology. now working as free lance Horticulturist in Mumbai and also as visiting professor in Mumbai university teaching Landscaping, gardening, organic farming, green house technology and agribusiness management in three colleges of Mumbai university.
wish to visit farms cultivating fruits and vegetables in green houses and in open field in UAE… can you help me get the contact details of farmers who are doing it in UAE.
My email ID is [email protected] kindly let me know… i am looking forward to see those farms in Dubai…
Regards,
Dr.Rajendra Deshmukh
Hello Dr R ajendra Deshmukh,
i am very pleased to come across you here, my name is Dr cosmos Larbi from Ghana,i am a trained naturophatic doctor and also an organic foods promoter on our national Tv and radio here in Ghana, as a result of these activities, people are calling me day in day out for these organic stuff but my capital is so limited therefore, i need a partner in the same field who understand the details of this industry to partner with to open organic shopping mall here in Ghana- Africa. there is now general demands of organic farm produce. you can also email me via ( [email protected])
hoping to here from you soon
yours faithfully
Dr Cosmos Larbi
Hallo
Am a student in Middlesex Dubai doing an assingment on sustainable consumption. I have done some research and realised i could produce my leaflet about Organic Farming. My question is what is my target audience in this case and the rationale. Is this really an essential initiative needed in the UAE. And how it benefits the wider society.
THANK YOU
All your help will be greatly appreciated.
Inshallah
Hello Inshallah,
I would like to communicate with you in Dubai concerning our company Urban Barns Foods Canada. We are a Canadian corporation that has perfected ‘Cubic Farming’ with astounding success. I think that our revolutionary systems are very relevant to the paper that you are working on ! Please contact me
Dear Sir/Madam ,
I would like to introduce our company Green Planet Indonesia , Ltd, that has been in business of organic fertilizer GREEN FARM® for past 15 years.
GREEN FARM® is a pelletised, concentrated organic fertilizer providing long term availability of nutrient.
The Product exhibits a high Cation Exchange Capacity and is environmentally safe.
GREEN FARM® is 100% organic fertilizer made from chicken manure .
Our products are sterile, no pathogenic and avian flu virus free.
For detailed of the product specifications , please visit our website at :
http://www.greenfarmfertilizer.com
If you request further information, please do not hesitate in contacting us.
We look forward hearing soonest from you and we remain at your entire service.
Regards
Ahmad Bayana
+ 62 819 0562 1075
I am a professor in agriculture university and a farmer’s son.
I read articles and ongoing concepts on organic farming at Dubai.
First of all everything is possible if men wish.
There is a sand in desert and it can not hold water , fertilizer or any neutition to provide plants / tree /vegetables.
first of all you must have such land (sand) that hold maximum good moisture / water, such that it release when plants require.
these case you require less wate /organic fertilizer to gice.
this is your one time investment with long time ripe.
we can suggest these type of minerals that give you good results.
I am an Australian Biological farming going to Dubai on holiday in March 2012, is it possible to go to any of these farms? if yes, can you provide contract details.
Thank you.
Good day to you, Sir.
My name is Terry Toh, and I represent our company: Biomax Technologies Pte Ltd (a Singapore-based company).
We have patented a new, break-through technology: Rapid Thermophilic Digestion System. This technology can convert organic waste into safe & high-value fertilizer, in 24-hours.
(example animal manure, dead food animals, food waste, agricultural waste, plants etc.)
The output fertilizer is rich in nutrients, odourless and safe (pathogen-free),
and this technology has been accepted in many regions, due to its consistency to produce top-grade organic fertilizer.
This is an excellent to produce organic fertilizer, for farmers in a self-sustainable way, and also a great business venture in the increasing-demand in the agriculture industry.
Well wishes & warmest regards,
Dear Sir,
I have already read that, the policy of UAE shows a great interest in organic agriculture, I am a ph.d. holder in agriculture, my research was done in partcipation between germany and syria, the aim was to nominate some organic and biological alternatives to control one of the most important disease on wheat, the goal has achieved and I still interseted in this direction.
I hope, I can get a job oppotunity in your projects.
I am looking forword to hear from you as soon as possible.
Dr. Bassima Saidi