Abu Dhabi Farms now offers tour packages, rents out living space to holidaymakers

ABU DHABI: Farms in Abu Dhabi can now legally offer tour packages, or rent out residential areas as holiday homes, according to a new decision by the emirate’s agricultural sector regulator.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (Adafsa) Decision issued to approve 71 services and activities Can be legally offered on agricultural land in the emirate. The decision aims to promote the UAE’s heritage, diversify farmers’ income streams and promote sustainable development of the agricultural sector.

The list of activities and services that a farm can provide is divided into four categories, including 21 economic activities in support of the plant sector, 24 activities related to the animal sector, 18 activities related to the food sector, and eight recreational activities. Vacation Homes are listed under Recreational Activities.

However, Adafsa stipulates that these activities and services should not occupy more than 30% of the area of ​​each farm. The farm should also have a licensed principal plant or animal activity and any services or activities provided should be owned and licensed by the farmer. Any required trade licenses should also be registered in the name of the farmer.

“The decision is the result of the efforts of the Agricultural Land Economic Activities Determination Committee, which was established at the direction of the Abu Dhabi Administrative Office, including the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, Municipalities and Transport, and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. The committee With an eye towards maximizing the use of agricultural land and diversifying the projects that can be established on the farm…[in order to make them] successful investment [that enhances educational, and cultural experiences] in the emirate of Abu Dhabi,” said Saeed Al Ameri, director general of Adafsa.

“Abu Dhabi’s farmland is a prosperous asset for the emirate and its owners. At Adafsa, with the support of wise leadership, we are working to maximize the value of this wealth and diversify the economic activities that can be carried out on the farms , to strengthen food security systems and increase local animal and plant production. [The new decision] Also enables farms to benefit from agritourism by providing recreational activities,” he added.

Abu Dhabi recently certified 1,536 farms in the emirate for high standards of food production, sustainability, and worker and animal welfare. The sector produced more than AED13 billion in agricultural products in 2020, including milk, poultry, eggs, crops, dates and red meat. This agricultural production will contribute 1.1 percent of Abu Dhabi’s GDP in 2021, up from 0.8 percent in the previous year.

In Dubai, the farm already offers a wide range of experiences for tourists and resident visitors, including accommodation, beekeeping, planting, urban farming and dune bashing.