The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment held the fifth meeting of Farmers' Council - chaired by Her Excellency Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment. The discussion focused on strategic initiatives to boost the competitiveness of locally grown agricultural produce within UAE markets and to provide comprehensive support for farmers at every level.

A landmark moment of the assembly was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and WaterMelon Holding Ltd. This MoU forms part of the broader ‘Enhancing The National Farms Sustainability Initiative, representing a commitment to collaboration and mutual support for advancing sustainable farming practices in the UAE.

The meeting was attended by HE Mohammed Mousa Alameeri, Assistant Undersecretary of the Food Diversity Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment.

In her speech, HE Mariam Almheiri said: "Enhancing national food security represents one of the most important strategic directions for the United Arab Emirates. We seek to achieve this goal according to the best global practices, facing food security challenges in water scarcity and limited agricultural land. This also contributes to the efforts of the United Arab Emirates in addressing climate change through a more sustainable system that reduces carbon emissions in the agricultural sector."

She added: "In light of the Year of Sustainability and with the upcoming hosting of the United Arab Emirates for the Conference of the Parties (COP28), we need to highlight the UAE's model in promoting its food security with the most sustainable agricultural technologies and provide a global model in developing a productive and sustainable agricultural sector. We also seek to support national farmers by equipping them with modern agricultural technology, promoting their products in the UAE market, and supporting their competitiveness."

During the meeting, the implementation of the recommendations of the fourth Farmers' Council meeting was reviewed, focusing on the ‘Enhancing The National Farmers' Sustainability’ initiative, which aims to make citizens' farms a major source of various agricultural crops and food products for major food supply companies operating in the United Arab Emirates. The achievements in supporting agricultural projects, organic farming, and date palm farms were also discussed.

The meeting also discussed the development of a program to support agricultural production requirements and greenhouse nets, as well as a program to support agricultural production requirements to reduce production costs and enhance the competitiveness of local products. Furthermore, the meeting reviewed the action plan for the Farmers' Council 2023, particularly in supporting farmers, marketing their products, and enhancing agricultural production for modern farms.

On the sidelines of the fifth farmers' council meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and ‘WaterMelon Holding Ltd’ with the aim of cooperation with the ‘Enhancing the National Farmers' Sustainability’ initiative. ‘WaterMelon Holding Ltd’ provides an integrated online platform for marketing, showcasing, and selling food and other products. It specializes in managing the food supply chain, allowing anyone, after logging in, to communicate with suppliers to sell, buy, distribute, or deliver any goods and commodities.

According to the five-year memorandum of understanding, ‘WaterMelon Holding Ltd’ enables relevant partners in enhancing national farmers' sustainability to register on its integrated online platform for marketing farmers' food and agricultural products.