UAE announces major agriculture and farming reform and tourism opportunities

UAE approves 71 economic activities that can be carried out on agricultural land

The UAE has announced major opportunities for agricultural industry as it looks to boost the economy in the sector.

Under new plans farms will be allowed to operate holiday homes and tourist activities on their land.

Farms planning tourist activities on agricultural land must apply for a licence and use no more than 30 per cent of land for tourist purposes.

UAE farm tourism plans

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Court, has issued a decision, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) to approve 71 economic activities that can be carried out on agricultural lands.

The list includes recreational and tourism activities such as holiday homes to support the tourism sector and promote the UAE’s ancient heritage.

Other activities that support the agricultural sector will include plant, animal and food activities in an effort to promote sustainable agricultural development and diversifying the sources of income of farm owners.

The list of economic activities that can be carried out on farms includes four categories:

• 21 economic activities that support the plant sector
• 24 economic activities related to the animal sector
• 18 economic activities related to the food sector
• 8 economic recreational activities, especially holiday homes, all of which aim to support the tourism sector and promote the cultural development of the agricultural sector in Abu Dhabi.

ADAFSA has set the requirements and constructions necessary for economic activities in agricultural lands not to exceed 30 per cent of the total area of the farm, provided that there is a licensed plant or animal main activity on the farm, and that the practice of economic activities is limited to the farm owner only, and the trade license must be issued in the name of the farm owner.

Saeed Al Bahri Al Ameri, Director General of Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority, said: “The decision is the result of the efforts of the Committee for the Determination of Economic Activities on Agricultural Lands, formed under the directives of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office including the Department of Economic Development- Abu Dhabi, the Department of Municipalities and Transport, and the Department of Culture and Tourism- Abu Dhabi.

“The Committee worked to maximise the use of agricultural land and diversify the options of projects that can be established on farms, in addition to regulating and facilitating the practice of recreational and tourism activities on farms, making the farm a successful investment project and an educational, recreational and heritage experience in the Abu Dhabi”.

Al Marri said agricultural lands in Abu Dhabi are a thriving asset for the Emirate and its owners. ADAFSA will work to maximise the value of farmland and diversify the economic activities that can be carried out to consolidate the food security system and increase local plant and animal production.

So-called agri-tourism will benefit from the recreational activities available at many of the crop and livestock farms in the Abu Dhabi.

Al Ameri pointed out that there are many farms that offer a unique tourist experience and the regulation and licensing of economic activities in the emirate will boost agri-tourism.

He also stressed that the government agencies will regulate, license, classify, control and inspect economic activities in agricultural lands.