The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced a game-changing plan to boost the agricultural industry in the country, providing major opportunities for the sector to expand and grow.
Under the new regulations, farms will be allowed to operate holiday homes and tourist activities on their land, marking a significant step towards diversifying the sources of income of farm owners and promoting sustainable agricultural development.
According to Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president and deputy prime minister of the UAE, and the chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the decision to approve 71 economic activities that can be carried out on agricultural lands is aimed at maximising the use of agricultural land and diversifying the options of projects that can be established on farms.
The list of economic activities includes recreational and tourism activities such as holiday homes to support the tourism sector and promote the UAE’s ancient heritage.
Furthermore, the list includes activities that support the agricultural sector, such as plant, animal, and food-related activities. This initiative seeks to promote sustainable agricultural development and to consolidate the food security system by increasing local plant and animal production.
The economic activities that can be carried out on farms are classified into four categories: 21 economic activities that support the plant sector, 24 economic activities related to the animal sector, 18 economic activities related to the food sector, and 8 economic recreational activities, especially holiday homes, which aim to support the tourism sector and promote the cultural development of the agricultural sector in Abu Dhabi.
ADAFSA has set requirements and constructions necessary for economic activities in agricultural lands not to exceed 30% of the total area of the farm, provided that there is a licensed plant or animal main activity on the farm.
Saeed Al Bahri Al Ameri, director general of ADAFSA noted that there are many farms that offer a unique tourist experience, and the regulation and licensing of economic activities in the emirate will boost agri-tourism. He also highlighted that the government will regulate, license, classify, control, and inspect economic activities in agricultural lands to promote sustainable development.
“The decision is the result of the efforts of the Committee for the Determination of Economic Activities on Agricultural Lands, formed under the directives of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office including the Department of Economic Development- Abu Dhabi, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, and the Department of Culture and Tourism- Abu Dhabi,” Al Ameri revealed.
The initiative marks a significant shift in the UAE’s approach to agriculture, as it aims to maximise the value of farmland and diversify the economic activities that can be carried out.
Regulating and facilitating the practice of recreational and tourism activities on farms, will help to make the farm a successful investment project and an educational, recreational, and heritage experience in Abu Dhabi. With the new regulations in place, agri-tourism will benefit from the recreational activities available at many of the crop and livestock farms in the emirate.