Dubai Municipality Launches Second Edition of Hatta Farming Festival
Dubai: Dubai Municipality has launched the second edition of the Hatta Farming Festival as part of the ‘Dubai Farms’ programme, an initiative spearheaded by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs. The festival kicked off today at Leem Lake and will continue until 22nd January, featuring 25 Emirati farmers, homesteaders, and local agricultural companies.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event is designed to showcase agricultural products and services, foster collaboration, and support the UAE’s growing agricultural market. The Hatta Farming Festival is held under the umbrella of the Hatta Winter initiative launched under the directives and patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council.
Organised under the supervision of the Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta, and implemented by Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, Hatta Winter invites residents and visitors to explore the unique experiences offered by the mountainous region during the cooler months of the year. The Hatta Farming Festival highlights the region’s potential as a premier agri-tourism destination, leveraging its unique environmental, social, and heritage diversity.
The initiative aligns with Dubai’s vision to support national farmers, promote sustainable practices, and enhance Hatta’s role as a leading agricultural and tourism hub. The festival supports the objectives of the Hatta Comprehensive Development Plan and the initiatives of the Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta, which seek to boost economic and tourism opportunities, encourage local enterprises, and celebrate the region’s rich agricultural heritage.
Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dhahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, highlighted the event’s alignment with the UAE’s efforts to advance sustainable national food security, a top priority for the country. She emphasised the role of agriculture in driving comprehensive development and the importance of increasing local production of strategic crops while reducing reliance on food imports.
She mentioned the Plant the Emirates National Programme, aimed at expanding agricultural practices and engaging society in promoting sustainable farming. The Hatta Farming Festival plays a crucial role in embedding agriculture as an integral cultural value in the community, aligning with the ‘Dubai Farms’ programme’s agenda.
Marwan bin Ghalita, Acting Director-General of Dubai Municipality, noted the festival’s significance in one of Dubai’s oldest agricultural regions. He highlighted its central role within the ‘Dubai Farms’ programme, which supports Emirati farmers and advances sustainable local agriculture, complementing the national ‘Grow UAE’ programme.
Dubai Municipality provides extensive support to Hatta farmers, including agricultural guidance, fertiliser and seed distribution, pest control programmes, and modern agricultural techniques. This year’s festival includes exhibitions, educational workshops, dialogue sessions with experts, and competitions such as public livestock auctions and awards for outstanding farmers.
Interactive sessions feature success stories from Hatta’s agricultural history, inspiring dialogues with young farm owners, and discussions on entrepreneurship in modern agriculture. Dubai Municipality will also offer an agricultural extension platform for free guidance, along with services from the Dubai Smart Mobile Laboratory and a mobile public health service.
Throughout the 2024 agricultural season, Dubai Municipality has supported Hatta farmers with resources and training, including fertilisers, seeds, and pest control initiatives. Over 1,250 field visits, 12 training courses, and four agricultural forums have been conducted to improve farming practices. The establishment of the Strawberry Model Farm as the region’s first tourist farm showcases sustainable farming practices.
These initiatives empower Hatta’s farmers to adopt modern practices, improve productivity, and support Dubai’s Food Security Strategy. By enhancing local agricultural systems, the festival underscores Dubai Municipality’s commitment to sustainability and community development.