• Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, April 21, 2013: Laborers work the day away harvesting potatoes at the Al Ain Wheat Farm, owned by Elite Agro Co., on Monday, April 22, 2013, at the farm outside of Al Ain, close to the UAE border with Oman. The farm, with its 45 hectares is the largest one of 43 Abu-Dhabi emirate farms, which are participating in a first-year potato program overseen by the Abu Dhabi Farmer's Services Centre. All of the locally grown potatoes and other produce from the farms are meant for the UAE markets. Silvia Razgova / The National
    Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, April 21, 2013: Laborers work the day away harvesting potatoes at the Al Ain Wheat Farm, owned by Elite Agro Co., on Monday, April 22, 2013, at the farm outside of Al Ain, close to the UAE border with Oman. The farm, with its 45 hectares is the largest one of 43 Abu-Dhabi emirate farms, which are participating in a first-year potato program overseen by the Abu Dhabi Farmer's Services Centre. All of the locally grown potatoes and other produce from the farms are meant for the UAE markets. Silvia Razgova / The National
  • Potato farmers face a major challenge in marketing their products as supermarkets generally rely on cheaper and, at times, substandard potatoes imported from abroad, a senior official at Elite Argo Company, a large commercial vegetable grower farm in Al A???
    Potato farmers face a major challenge in marketing their products as supermarkets generally rely on cheaper and, at times, substandard potatoes imported from abroad, a senior official at Elite Argo Company, a large commercial vegetable grower farm in Al A???
  • Local potatoes are sold in the UAE at Dh2.5 to Dh3 per kg and are generally found at Spinneys, Abela, Choitrams, Geant, Aswaaq and Souq. Potatoes imported from around the region retail for about Dh1.7 or Dh1.8 per kg, depending on the quality.
    Local potatoes are sold in the UAE at Dh2.5 to Dh3 per kg and are generally found at Spinneys, Abela, Choitrams, Geant, Aswaaq and Souq. Potatoes imported from around the region retail for about Dh1.7 or Dh1.8 per kg, depending on the quality.
  • “We harvested 1,200 tonnes of potatoes so far this year and, for next year, we plan to increase it to 3,500 tonnes a year,â€� said Martin Aguirre, commercial and operations director of the FSC.
    “We harvested 1,200 tonnes of potatoes so far this year and, for next year, we plan to increase it to 3,500 tonnes a year,� said Martin Aguirre, commercial and operations director of the FSC.
  • “The FSC imparts all logistical supports as well as promotes the marketing but there is not enough support for the local retailers, even though it’s a superior quality. I want the consumer to be aware of the local produce and its quality versus the im???
    “The FSC imparts all logistical supports as well as promotes the marketing but there is not enough support for the local retailers, even though it’s a superior quality. I want the consumer to be aware of the local produce and its quality versus the im???
  • The tour was organised by Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre (FSC), an independent body with links to the Food Control Authority (FCA), to highlight the challenges farmers face in growing vegetables in this climate and how they plan to grow their harves???
    The tour was organised by Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre (FSC), an independent body with links to the Food Control Authority (FCA), to highlight the challenges farmers face in growing vegetables in this climate and how they plan to grow their harves???
  • The farmers’ centre this year aims to triple the amount of local potatoes produced to nearly 2,500 tonnes, from a figure below 900 tonnes last year.
    The farmers’ centre this year aims to triple the amount of local potatoes produced to nearly 2,500 tonnes, from a figure below 900 tonnes last year.
  • The official, who was on a tour of a vegetable farm in Al Ain yesterday and wished to remain anonymous, said: “For healthy food and hygiene, 30 to 50 fils more on a kilogramme does not affect the pockets.
    The official, who was on a tour of a vegetable farm in Al Ain yesterday and wished to remain anonymous, said: “For healthy food and hygiene, 30 to 50 fils more on a kilogramme does not affect the pockets.
  • In the past, the UAE imported a large percentage of its potatoes from Saudi Arabia but after the Saudis banned potato exports in 2011, the UAE has imported a majority of potatoes from Egypt and Pakistan.
    In the past, the UAE imported a large percentage of its potatoes from Saudi Arabia but after the Saudis banned potato exports in 2011, the UAE has imported a majority of potatoes from Egypt and Pakistan.
  • The Elite Argo official argued that consumers need to be made aware of locally produced quality products that are produced in accordance with FCA rules and international standards.
    The Elite Argo official argued that consumers need to be made aware of locally produced quality products that are produced in accordance with FCA rules and international standards.
  • “The quality we’re seeing from local farmers is easily as good as but usually better than these imports,â€� said Chris Hirst, the chief executive of the FSC.
    “The quality we’re seeing from local farmers is easily as good as but usually better than these imports,� said Chris Hirst, the chief executive of the FSC.

UAE

In pictures: Farmers' drive for public to buy UAE-grown potatoes

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