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ABU DHABI / WAM
The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA), on Saturday, concluded its participation in the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2018.
Launched in November, the festival was held under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and under the supervision of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Chairman of the ADFCA.
In cooperation with Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Services Centre and Food Security Centre, the ADFCA organised the Agricultural Oasis, in which various activities and programmes were presented to some 200,000 visitors at the festival. They were introduced to the agriculture, livestock and food safety sectors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as the efforts of the organising bodies in achieving food security and agricultural sustainability in the emirate.
During its participation, the ADFCA has carried out several culture and awareness-related activities, including workshops on community farming and a home garden for the children in the oasis, said Thamer Rashid Al Qasemi, Chairman of the Agricultural Oasis Organising Committee.
“In coordination with the Ministry of Education, the authority hosted 2,625 school students to raise awareness about the importance of agriculture to humans and the environment, the sound methods for agriculture and irrigation, and other good practices. The ADFCA also organised sessions for livestock breeders and farmers to discuss many important issues, such as farm management, taking care of the herd, the use of treated water to irrigate agricultural crops, and other topics related to the agricultural sector,” Al Qasemi noted.
“Through a dedicated corner for them, the authority’s employees have also raised the children’s awareness about food safety essentials using modern and sophisticated methods. This included the presentation of the “Zadna” animation movie, which addresses specific topics closely related to children, such as the importance of washing hands before and after eating, the importance of washing vegetables and fruits properly before eating, and food poisoning and ways to prevent it,” Al Qasemi indicated.
Al Qasimi underscored the success of the agricultural oasis in marketing more than 70,000 kilograms of local vegetables and fruits through the Emiratis farmers market. The market aimed at introducing visitors of different nationalities to the quality of the local product and the achievements of the emirate in the agriculture area. He highlighted the oasis’ role in promoting the local product and the increasing consumer confidence in it.
He thanked the festival’s organising committee and the participants. He further affirmed that the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival has contributed to enriching the UAE culture and heritage, as it became an important crossroad of civilisations and a civilised gathering of different races and nationalities.