UAE | Environment
More land needed for organic farming
A UAE-based organic educator is urging authorities to make more land available for organic farming.
- By Kevin scott, Staff Reporter
- Published: 00:02 August 10, 2008
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
- Dave Friend, also known as "Mr Organic", gives presentations to adults, children and businesses across the country on the benefits of eating food without harmful pesticides, fungicides or chemical fertilisers.
Dubai: A UAE-based organic educator is urging authorities to make more land available for organic farming.
Dave Friend, also known as "Mr Organic", gives presentations to adults, children and businesses across the country on the benefits of eating food without harmful pesticides, fungicides or chemical fertilisers.
His educational and informative presentations provide advice, guidance and follow-up support for the "Three R's" programme: "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle".
He told Gulf News: "We need land to grow more organic food. "My research tells me we should be growing more organic food here. I realise that's a bit more challenging from mid-June to mid-September because of the heat but certain things can still grow, such as herbs and fruit. With proper management practices it is possible to grow food without the aid of artificial chemicals."
Friend is determined to promote health-friendly organic food in the Emirates but he believes more financial support is required to get the products through the certification process. More money is also needed to improve the infrastructure and irrigation required for organic farming.
He added: "In the last few months the market has gone crazy. Thirty years ago people spent an average 22 per cent of their income on food. These days our income has doubled but we only spend an average of six per cent on food, due mainly to a population explosion, supermarkets and the fact that food is cheaper now than ever before."
"Everything is happening so quickly in Dubai. Most cities have expanded over time but Dubai is different. More and more people are moving to live here and they tend to lead very busy lives.
"They are not overly concerned about where their food has come from."
Friend's time in Dubai is being sponsored by Organic Foods and Cafe, which has outlets in the Greens and Satwa.
It is the only supermarket in the UAE that sells certified organic food.
He said people are not used to paying more for food. "It will take time for Organic Foods and Cafe to become sustainable."
For more details on "Mr Organic's" services contact Organic Foods and Cafe
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