Today's Edition
ASILA AL BADI (ABU DHABI)
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC), has launched a professional training programme designed to enhance the skills of farmers, livestock breeders, and agricultural workers in the emirate.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to boost the efficiency of the agricultural sector and ensure the sustainability of food production.
Announced on the second day of Global Food Week, the programme targets workers across both plant and animal production — including livestock breeders, poultry specialists, aquaculture workers, farm supervisors, and crop production technicians. It aligns with the goal of transforming the agricultural sector into a more professional, knowledge-driven, and innovation-led system.
Dr. Tariq Ahmed Al Amri, Acting Director-General of ADAFSA, said: “Today, it has become essential to move from traditional farming practices to a professional model based on qualified expertise and sound agricultural methods — an objective we are realising through our partnership with the Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council.”
The programme goes beyond training, Dr. Al Amiri said. “It also involves the establishment of clear professional standards, awareness-raising among workers, and the promotion of compliance with best practices. These measures ensure alignment with both local and international benchmarks and strengthen the competitiveness of Abu Dhabi’s agricultural and food products.”
The courses will cover core areas such as animal welfare, biosecurity, safe food handling, and skilled farm management practices. These ensure that every worker meets minimum capability requirements that align with public health and safety standards.
According to ADAFSA, the programme’s design was based on a comprehensive field survey that assessed workers’ current skills. The study identified the need to improve both technical and managerial skills and provide practical training aligned with future demands — particularly in light of climate challenges and resource constraints.
Sultan Saeed Al Mehairi, Director of Business Development and Customer Happiness Department at ADQCC, said the council’s partnership with ADAFSA represents a shared goal to raise professional standards in Abu Dhabi’s agricultural sector.
“Through this programme, we aim to ensure that farm and ranch workers possess the skills and qualifications required to carry out their duties safely and efficiently,” Al Mehairi said. “By setting clear occupational requirements and aligning them with best practices, we are helping create a culture of quality and compliance that enhances productivity, supports food safety, and strengthens local agriculture.
He noted that the programme supports Abu Dhabi’s efforts to standardise agricultural practices and promote a culture of quality and compliance, contributing to the emirate’s goal of building a sustainable and competitive food production system.
Fahad Gharib Al Shamsi, Acting Secretary-General of ADQCC, emphasised that the council is actively supporting the development of professional standards for agricultural occupations and ensuring their effective implementation.
“Enhancing professionalism within this vital sector represents a strategic step toward building an integrated ecosystem founded on quality and knowledge, in line with the Abu Dhabi Government’s vision to advance its key economic sectors according to globally established standards.”
Alongside technical training, the programme will include awareness campaigns, workshops, and digital educational content. It will also engage several government and private entities — among them the Department of Economic Development, the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre, Al Foah, and SILAL — in order to build an integrated agricultural ecosystem based on knowledge, quality, and sustainability.
The Professional Training Programme is expected to improve performance indicators across farms, boost workers’ productivity, and strengthen the emirate’s preparedness to meet future food-security challenges.
