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Abu Dhabi (Union) contributes to the development of sustainable domestic tourism through the widespread distribution of citizen farms across the vast areas of the UAE. These farms provide a natural haven for nature enthusiasts who find a serene and breathtaking environment. The success of these farms has also led to the production of various types of vegetables, fruits, and crops that were previously confined to temperate climates, and the diversity of their products has contributed to the growth of the agricultural sector, utilizing the necessary resources and increasing the contribution of agricultural production to the country's GDP, and reducing reliance on imports.The total number of farms in the UAE has exceeded 38,000, following various farming methods and agricultural systems, with some farms adopting organic farming methods, while others use hydroponic farming methods, supported by local plans and initiatives to promote the work of farmers and support modern agricultural practices. Hydroponic farming, in particular, is one of the most prominent projects, with a production capacity four times that of traditional farming methods, considering the use of less land and more plants, and represents an economically viable solution for the medium and long term, according to a 5-10 year timeline.The farms also use advanced technologies that enable the provision of fresh agricultural products throughout the year, with the total local agricultural production currently covering more than 20% of the market demand.The UAE has given great attention to guiding domestic tourism towards citizen farms, to learn from the successful experiences of entrepreneurs in this sector, and the role of these projects in promoting a culture of sustainable environmental interaction.The 'Most Beautiful Winter in the World' campaign, which comes this year under the slogan 'Our Winter is Leadership', highlights some of the successful agricultural experiences of Emirati pioneers, which have left a bright mark on the journey of sustainable agriculture and domestic tourism.The UAE attaches great importance to agricultural tourism, considering its role in showcasing the country's local treasures, and the country's fertile and developed agricultural land, as well as highlighting the pioneering agricultural projects established and developed by Emirati entrepreneurs, supported by government agencies, where the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment launched a national project in 2019 under the slogan 'Nature's Treasures in the UAE', which highlights the innovations of local farmers, their practices, and experiences, as well as traditional and modern farming methods, and the techniques used, in addition to providing recreational activities available in many agricultural farms in the country, allowing visitors to purchase the products they need directly from the source at a reasonable cost and high quality, which encourages farmers to develop and expand their activities through additional income and encourages the public to adopt community farming practices.One of the leading agricultural experiences in the UAE is the strawberry farm in Al Dhaid, Sharjah, managed by Isa Khouri, the general manager of 'Mirak', which was established in 1985, and is the first company to grow strawberries, and one of the first companies established in the agricultural sector.The company did not stop at producing strawberry fruits, which are still exported in thousands of tons annually to the Gulf and other parts of the world, but also produced many high-value agricultural crops that were previously imported from abroad.Another leading strawberry farm in the UAE is the 'Hatta Model Strawberry Farm' of citizen Khalifa Al-Matroushi, which is a sustainable agricultural destination that attracts investors and tourists, where the farm was established in 2022 and includes two fields, one open field with 6,000 strawberry seedlings and another glasshouse with 1,870 seedlings, distinguished by providing effort, time, water, and environmental conservation, and helps sustainable agriculture through innovative technology, derived from the purity and beauty of nature. Visitors can enjoy quiet gatherings and taste hot and cold drinks with strawberry flavor, prepared fresh at the same time, in addition to the products offered by the farm, including dates and natural juices.The cocoa farm established by citizen Ahmed Al-Hafeiti, one of the sons of Fujairah, is one of the most important agricultural experiences in the UAE, reflecting the ability of the local farmer to innovate and renew in the field of agriculture, contributing to the achievement of self-sufficiency in most agricultural products.The cocoa farm is located in the Wadi Difta nursery in Fujairah, where Al-Hafeiti successfully cultivated over 1,000 cocoa seedlings, all of which were sold, and imported three types of the world's best cocoa fruit from Uganda, with plans to cultivate around 5,000 seedlings next season.Under the support of the UAE for local pioneers in various fields, Ahmed Al-Hafeiti's achievements in cocoa farming, as well as other tropical plants, were recognized, and he received the award for the best local influencer in the agricultural sector, presented by the 'Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence' in March 2024.
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