The Zayed Higher Organization for Humanitarian Care and Special Needs has established a specialised centre for agricultural and vocational training for Emirati students with disabilities.
The centre can accommodate about 200 students on a farm with 328,000 square metre farm in the southern Yahar area. Nasser Al Ahbabi is the director of the project, called the Hazea Al Bosh centre for agricultural and vocational rehabilitation.
Mr Al Ahbabi said the centre had a successful trial period, producing organic produce in commercial quantities in 10 greenhouses. The produce was then sold in cooperation with the Farmers’ Services Centre. It includes bell peppers, strawberries, cucumber, tomatoes and cauliflower. The project was profitable in its first year.
Agricultural practices are modern and use a drip irrigation technique and water rationing system.
Mr Al Ahbabi said 18 students are at the centre, with 10 more scheduled to join in the next few days. The centre will also include 16 vocational training workshops in the future.
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