Dubai // The Government has launched a scheme to provide training and support for farmers using hydroponics.
The Ministry of Environment and Water has put a priority on increasing use of the technology, which relies on nutrient-rich water to grow plants with the use of little or no soil.
Hydroponic farming is up to 70 per cent more water efficient than traditional methods and allows for a longer growing season.
“Hydroponics is one of the techniques that proved over the past few years as having excellent prospects for the UAE,” said Dr Rashid bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water.
"It helps a lot in conservation of water, which is our challenge in the UAE and the region."
Most farmers rely on groundwater to irrigate their crops but the amount and quality of the country’s reserves has been decreasing steadily after years of exploitation.
The ministry has been promoting hydroponics for a few years. There are 87 commercial farms using it but a lack of training has hampered initial success for some.
The ministry is starting lectures and field sessions to educate farmers and their workers on correct use of such systems.
“If you do not have qualified people in the field you cannot gain whatever targets you are planning for,” Dr bin Fahad said.
“We hope through this initiative we will strengthen the relationship with the farmers, especially the mass producers, so they can go to the market with a high-quality product.”
The first meeting with farmers was held at the property of Mohammed Al Qarraah in Al Helyo, Ajman.
The retired government employee has been farming since 1998. In November 2008 he became the first farmer in the area to try hydroponics, starting with one greenhouse.
Now Mr Al Qarraah has converted his entire farm, using the technique to grow crops including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, aubergines, cauliflower, pumpkin, cabbage and strawberries.
Using hydroponics has allowed him to operate his farm for longer, only closing during July and August.
“One issue with switching to the technology is cost,” Mr Al Qarraah said. “At the beginning you need to invest but later you reap the benefits.”
He received praise for his efforts from Dr bin Fahad, who said the ministry was keen to promote his example to other farmers.
“These people could really help us to increase and achieve our targets for food security, at least so that local production covers a percentage of our needs,” the minister said.
Gharib Al Mutawa, director of services for the central region at the ministry, said that while hydroponics was still new for many farmers, there was already good local expertise in the area.
“We want to see many farmers change to hydroponics and we want them to create a network and exchange information,” Mr Al Mutawa said.
The ministry is also helping farmers by providing hydroponics systems, fertilisers and other supplies at half the market price, he said.
The World Food Security Summit in Dubai on Monday called for more education on systems such as hydroponics to boost food production and make it more efficient.
vtodorova@thenational.ae