Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Spanning dozens of hectares and using the latest sustainable greenhouse technology, Al Foah Farm in Al Ain is producing top-quality UAE-grown blueberries that have earned a spot on international tables.
This achievement is a significant boost to the country’s food security, reducing reliance on imports and advancing the UAE's goal of becoming a key exporter of homegrown produce.
Producing blueberries in the UAE has not only been a unique experience but also an agricultural challenge.
Al Foah Farm, managed by Elite Agro under Yas Holding, has become the leading farm in the country to grow blueberries using sustainable farming technologies.
The farm utilises cutting-edge agricultural practices to improve crop yields and quality, while minimising the impact of global warming.
As part of the fifth season of the 'World's Coolest Winter' campaign, under the theme 'Green Tourism,' a collaboration between the Ministry of Economy, the National Agricultural Center, and local tourism bodies, the UAE's success in blueberry farming is being showcased.
The initiative aims to promote community involvement in sustainable agricultural practices and encourage visits to these innovative, eco-friendly farms.
This effort aligns with the UAE's domestic tourism strategy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which seeks to develop a comprehensive tourism ecosystem across the nation.
Agricultural Investment
Founded in 2010 as part of the UAE’s food security strategy, Elite Agro oversees Al Foah Farm, renowned for its successful blueberry cultivation.
The company has agricultural investments in seven countries and has pioneered sustainable farming practices.
Al Foah’s blueberries are known for their large size and are carefully handled with special temperature control procedures during post-harvest processing to ensure freshness and quality until they reach consumers.
Starting with 20 greenhouses covering 12 hectares, each greenhouse houses over 3,350 blueberry plants, with a planting density of 5,400 per hectare.
By 2022, the farm's annual yield reached 280 tonnes, prompting a major expansion in 2023.
Elite Agro added 13 hectares of greenhouses and planted 72,000 new blueberry seedlings, increasing production to nearly 400 tonnes annually.
The UAE is committed to advancing successful agricultural practices that support the nation's food security.
By utilising its state-of-the-art infrastructure and embracing modern technologies, the UAE encourages innovation to address agricultural challenges.
Efforts include tackling soil issues, optimising water usage in farming, and developing crop varieties that can thrive in the country’s challenging environmental and climatic conditions.
