Page 296 - DUBAI MUNICIPALITY ENGLISH PR REPORT - MARCH 2024

Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al-Awadi, Director of Agriculture Department at Dubai
Municipality, said, “Dubai Municipality is focused on the goal of supporting community
practices, which motivates both citizens and residents to produce sustainable local
agriculture. It is a pivotal factor in the efforts to ensure the sustainability of the food security
system and environmental resources. The commitment comes in support of the National
Food Security Strategy goals, as well as Dubai Food Security Strategy, which aims at
improving domestic production and reducing food loss and wastage, further consolidating the
Emirate's position as the world's leading destination that combines aesthetic, environmental
and food sustainability.”

“The Municipality offers essential facilities to implement initiatives and programs to support
the success of citizens’ agricultural projects and encourage them to make use of available
spaces in their gardens thus boosting proportions of the contributions made by small-scale
domestic agricultural enterprises towards Dubai’s domestic product ranges. It further aims to
improve the quality of life and happiness of the members of the society,” Al-Awadi added.

Dubai Municipality allotted a one-month period to register for this competition through the
following link: https://dm.gov.ae. Aspiring participants can fill out the form, which requires the
owner’s personal data, place number, location of the area planted (courtyard or rooftop),
details of cultivated items, irrigation methods, and a picture of the garden. All kinds of owners
(property or lease) with home gardens are eligible to participate in the competition, while the
owners of farmlands, members of the Supreme or Technical Committee, or other
subcommittees are not entitled to take part in it.

Dubai Municipality curated a comprehensive matrix including the key criteria for assessment.
It involves factors such as environment and sustainability that underscore the conditions for
the use of organic fertilisers and reduction of chemical fertilisers and soil free of weeds,
ensuring the safety of plant varieties from pests and diseases through integrated control
methods, proper waste disposal and recycling of agricultural waste. Furthermore, the criteria
highlight points such as rationalising resource consumption of both water and electricity, the
use of solar energy, the application of advanced irrigation systems, the preservation of quality
and hygiene, and recycling of irrigation water. The diversity of plants grown and the balance
of plants in the garden are highlighted in the criteria to ensure overall appearance.

In addition, the criteria set standards for the type and quality of production, maintaining the
garden’s hygiene, security, and safety measures such as guarding power lines, irrigation
sockets, and service corridors within the park, and the requirement for an innovative and
unique idea.

Through Dubai Farms Program, Dubai Municipality will provide a package of services and
facilities that support its national farmers. It will provide agricultural extension services, control
agricultural pests and necessary laboratory tests, competitive prices for agricultural supplies,
machinery, and irrigation systems, and prepare the production agriculture strategy for Dubai.

https://wam.ae/en/article/b27fkk4-dubai-municipality-unveils-dubai%E2%80%99s-best-
homegrown