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1/14/25, 4:00 PM Latest News
earned a spot on international tables.
This achievement is a significant boost to the country’s food security, reducing reliance on imports and
advancing the UAE's goal of becoming a key exporter of homegrown produce.
Producing blueberries in the UAE has not only been a unique experience but also an agricultural challenge.
Al Foah Farm, managed by Elite Agro under Yas Holding, has become the leading farm in the country to
grow blueberries using sustainable farming technologies.
The farm utilizes cutting-edge agricultural practices to improve crop yields and quality, while minimizing the
impact of global warming.
As part of the fifth season of the 'World's Coolest Winter' campaign, under the theme 'Green Tourism,' a
collaboration between the Ministry of Economy, the National Agricultural Center, and local tourism bodies, the
UAE's success in blueberry farming is being showcased.
The initiative aims to promote community involvement in sustainable agricultural practices and encourage
visits to these innovative, eco-friendly farms.
This effort aligns with the UAE's domestic tourism strategy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin
Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, which seeks to
develop a comprehensive tourism ecosystem across the nation.
Agricultural investment
Founded in 2010 as part of the UAE’s food security strategy, Elite Agro oversees Al Foah Farm, renowned for
its successful blueberry cultivation.
The company has agricultural investments in seven countries and has pioneered sustainable farming
practices.
Al Foah’s blueberries are known for their large size and are carefully handled with special temperature
control procedures during post-harvest processing to ensure freshness and quality until they reach
consumers.
Starting with 20 greenhouses covering 12 hectares, each greenhouse houses over 3,350 blueberry plants,
with a planting density of 5,400 per hectare.
By 2022, the farm's annual yield reached 280 tons, prompting a major expansion in 2023. Elite Agro added
13 hectares of greenhouses and planted 72,000 new blueberry seedlings, increasing production to nearly
400 tons annually.
The UAE is committed to advancing successful agricultural practices that support the nation's food security.
By utilizing its state-of-the-art infrastructure and embracing modern technologies, the UAE encourages
innovation to address agricultural challenges.
Efforts include tackling soil issues, optimizing water usage in farming, and developing crop varieties that can
thrive in the country’s challenging environmental and climatic conditions.
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