DUBAI: The UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment has announced a new initiative to increase the efficiency of agricultural advisory services, state-run news agency WAM reported on Sunday.
The programme is part of the UAE’s broader efforts to improve agricultural production and strengthen national food security.
Its aim is to improve the skills and professional capabilities of agricultural operators, equipping them with the tools to effectively transfer technology and share modern agricultural techniques, thus increasing productivity.
The programme includes specific training in areas such as soil and irrigation, crop and vegetable production, fruit production, pest prevention and control, beekeeping and honey production, WAM added.
It also offers classes and workshops to improve the skills of agricultural operators, as well as field courses that provide practical application of theoretical knowledge, improve communication skills and increase safety.
“The Agricultural Extension Efficiency Improvement Programme is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the sustainability of national agricultural businesses in the UAE, aimed at strengthening and growing the sector in the future,” said Mohammed Salman Al-Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary of the Food Diversity Sector at the Ministry.
He added: “The programme aims to develop a specialized pathway for all agricultural extension agents covering the main fields of the sector. Through this, we seek to build agricultural extension capacity and expertise, which in turn, would help improve local agricultural production and support the transformation of national food systems into more sustainable systems.”
The program also includes the development of an annual agricultural guidance plan, which will monitor and support farmers in improving agricultural production and protecting crops from pests.
It will include a calendar for tree service operations and growing seasons for each crop, focusing on date palms, fruits, vegetables, fodder and honey production. Operations will also cover irrigation, fertilization and land remediation.
The programme will also prepare technical reports and farm advisory visit reports, including data analysis, recommendations and documentation of results to ensure continuous improvement and respond to farmers' needs.
Al-Hammadi stressed the importance of better communication between agricultural agents and farmers, with plans for regular farm visits and meetings to discuss challenges. The initiative aims to improve crop yields, establish clear standards and targets for agricultural guidance programs, and ultimately improve farmer satisfaction.
