Abu Dhabi aims to save water wasted by farmers

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi will save 40 per cent of water used for farming in the next five years thanks to the introduction of new irrigation practices, officials said.

Up to 60 per cent of water applied on farms in Abu Dhabi's Seih Al Kheir area is wasted by current irrigation practices, they said during the inauguration of the first Irrigation Demonstration Farm in the area.

The transition to the new system will eventually result in the reduction of water use for farming by 40 per cent in the next five years, said Rashid Mohammad Al Sharqi, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Centre and Director-General, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) who inaugurated the farm.

"We are living in an extremely dry region. Preserving water is like preserving life here. The developmental strategy of the Government of Abu Dhabi places great emphasis on the preservation of natural resources. It also aims to mitigate the harmful effects of certain agricultural practices on the environment," he said.

Higher productivity

Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Centre (FSC) has set up the farm to demonstrate to farmers the potential of modern and efficient irrigation technology in improving water efficiency in agricultural production. It is also part of the FSC's efforts at helping farmers in the emirate achieve higher productivity and better quality of crops, as well as to minimise the use of natural resources such as water.

Mubarak Ali Al Qusaili Al Mansouri, Executive Director of Agriculture, ADFCA and Governing Board Member, FSC said current irrigation practices were unsustainable and had a detrimental effect on the environment

This demonstration farm is the first of its kind with a further eight irrigation demonstration sites to be developed by the FSC over the coming year throughout Abu Dhabi's Western Region.

A water meter in the system can gauge the amount of water used for irrigation, David O'Brien, Chief Executive Officer of FSC told Gulf News. He said not only the techniques but the daily (irrigation) practices of farmers had to be improved. "If you water a date palm at one in the afternoon, you waste a lot of water."

He said the centre was educating farmers in this regard.

Farmers will be able to visit these sites with FSC experts to learn more about the benefits of improved irrigation practices. The sites will also be used for training days with farmers. Through demonstrations, the benefits of improved irrigation systems will be showcased. Farmers will be able to seek assistance from the FSC to implement similar improvements on their own farms.