MUDHI ALOBTHANI (ABU DHABI)
Summer may not be an ideal time for farming in the UAE, but ingenuity and a growing awareness of locally adapted best practices have turned seasonal challenges into a push for smarter, more climate-resilient agriculture nationwide.
Innovators and young enthusiasts are adopting more sustainable farming methods, especially during the summer months when the heat makes cultivation particularly difficult.
One agri-tech venture, Falaj, is developing an intelligent management system designed to simplify farming and address challenges.
Bashayer Al Zaabi, Member of the UAE Youth Council for Agriculture and Founder of Falaj, said the system stands out by focusing primarily on soil moisture as the most critical agricultural factor, converting raw data into actionable decisions.
It relies on soil sensors placed directly in the ground to continuously measure moisture levels. This data is then analysed using artificial intelligence and integrated with weather data to determine actual irrigation requirements.
Based on that analysis, the platform provides farmers with precise recommendations or automates irrigation through smart valves without requiring direct human intervention.
Al Zaabi said the technology is designed to tackle multiple issues, including water waste caused by random irrigation, rising operational costs, and difficulties farmers face in making informed decisions in a competitive market. The platform integrates agricultural and commercial farm management into a single system.
“By ensuring irrigation is based on actual soil demand, the technology helps reduce water waste, improve plant health, lower costs, and increase both productivity and crop quality,” she said.
Alongside emerging agri-tech solutions that rely on data and automation, established farmers have also adapted to summer challenges through practical, experience-driven approaches.
Veteran Emirati farmer Saleh Mohammed bin Yaroof Al Mansoori ventured into hydroponics, which he described as one of the most viable solutions to issues such as groundwater depletion and increasing salinity in well water.
He pointed out that hydroponic agriculture can reduce water use by up to 98% in some crops while increasing production by as much as 300% for certain vegetables.
During summer, he said, securing fresh water remains one of the greatest operational challenges.
To overcome this, he has implemented alternative innovative and sustainable water solutions, as well as additional methods to reduce greenhouse temperatures and excessive sunlight exposure.
Reflecting on government support, Al Mansoori said previous assistance from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment enabled him to purchase subsidised greenhouses at half the market cost.
Those greenhouses, he added, opened the door to experimentation and allowed him to cultivate a broader range of productive and economically viable crops.
He advised young people interested in agriculture to focus on developing alternative solutions to the challenges they encounter so their farming can become both sustainable and financially rewarding.
Latifa Khalid Al Menhali, an environmental science and sustainability major, is among the young farmers who has been passionate about agriculture since childhood. She has seen her plants grow in every season and studied every challenge brought on by shifting weather conditions.
Currently, Al Menhali focuses on indoor plants such as pothos, lilies, snake plants, and money trees, in addition to some outdoor plants including ficus and mint, with plans to expand into crop cultivation in the future.
Outdoor plants, she said, require special attention in the evenings during summer to minimise evaporation and maximise water absorption.
She explained that summer heat creates major challenges due to rapid water evaporation, increased irrigation demands, plant heat stress, leaf yellowing, and the difficulty of maintaining consistent soil moisture.
This is why, as temperatures rise each season, her daily plant care shifts toward more frequent monitoring, evening irrigation, and closer moisture management.
Al Menhali said educational initiatives and sustainability guides from relevant authorities have improved her understanding of plant care and sustainable agriculture.
She said those resources have encouraged her to continue developing her agricultural knowledge.
Sharing some advice for young people interested in entering the field, Al Menhali encouraged beginners to start with simple household plants, learn the basics of irrigation and soil care, experiment with different species, and remain patient throughout the process.