Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Mohamed Alhosani, a passionate organic farmer who supplies the community with nutritional organic produce, has started his foray into the world of agricultural tourism. Inspired by the UAE’s agricultural traditions, Alhosani aspires to develop a tourism farm that preserves Emirati heritage, concentrating on crops such as wheat, palm trees, wild plants, potatoes, and strawberries.
With an understanding of the importance of organic farming in sustainability, Alhosani employs innovative methods to ensure that his farm is pesticide-free and environmentally friendly.
“For fertilisation, sheep and earthworms are raised to benefit from crop residues, and their waste is recycled to fertilise plants and trees,” Alhosani told Aletihad. To maintain pest control, he uses natural pesticides, and releases farm-friendly insects to feed on harmful counterparts.
Motivated by the desire to preserve environmental and biological diversity, Alhosani actively practices conservation in his work. “What inspired me most to embrace organic agriculture is the preservation of environmental and biological diversity, unlike farms that utilise chemical pesticides that kill beneficial insects and harm the ecosystems of bees, birds, hedgehogs, and other animals.”
The farm provides a variety of engaging activities that encourage visitors to reconnect with nature and the environment. “Visitors can enjoy strawberry and damask flower picking events, along with hiking through wildflower and wheat fields,” Alhosani shared.
Alhosani also engages with the local community through collaborative initiatives to promote sustainable living practices. He intends to present the farm as an example of sustainable agriculture, and simplifies farming practices to share his successful experiences with other farmers.
“One of our goals is to present the farm as a role model and try to simplify agricultural practices and inform farmers of successful experiences for the purpose of applying them,” he explained.
Alhosani also promotes home farming through the farm’s Instagram account, he said, adding: “Through the farm’s Instagram account, the culture of home farming is also promoted, encouraging people to plant trees in their homes, and I provide them with some agricultural advice.”
For those wishing to shift to organic farming, Alhosani stressed the necessity of avoiding chemical fertilisers and pesticides. He also recommended the use of heirloom seeds to preserve ancient agricultural systems devoid of harmful substances.
On the process, he explained that farmers must first refrain from using chemical fertilisers and pesticides, and rplace them with their organic counterparts for a period of time that is specified by the relevant authorities that supervise the process. After these steps are completed, the farm can be officially certified as organic.
Commenting on Emirati youth who wish to pursue environmental and agricultural careers, Alhosani noted that there is great potential in revitalising the country’s existing farms.
“There are approximately thirty thousand farms in various emirates of the country, and if they are revitalised and used well, they will provide job opportunities and a very good source of income,” he said.
“There are many distinguished and creative Emirati youth who have proven that the country’s land can produce the best crops.”
