The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has concluded, Saturday, its participation in Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2018. Launched in November, the festival was held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, may God save him, under the directives of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and under the supervision of HH Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and Chairman of ADFCA.

In cooperation with Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Centre and Food Security Center, ADFCA organized the Agricultural Oasis, in which various activities and programs were presented to about 200.000 of the festival's visitors. They were introduced to   the agriculture, livestock and food safety sectors in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, as well as the organizing bodies' efforts in achieving food security and agricultural sustainability in the emirate.

During its participation, ADFCA has carried out several culture and awareness-related activities, including workshops on community farming and home garden for the oasis' kids, said Thamer Rashid Al Qasemi, Chairman of the Agricultural Oasis Organizing Committee.

"In coordination with the Ministry of Education, the authority hosted a 2625 of school students to raise their awareness about the importance of agriculture to humans and the environment, the sound methods for agriculture and irrigation, and other good practices. ADFCA also organized sessions for livestock breeders and farmers to discuss many important issues, such as farm management, taking care of the herd, the use of treated water to irrigate agricultural crops, and other topics related to the agricultural sector," Al Qasemi noted.

Al Qasimi added that ADFCA employees have raised the visitors' awareness about food safety practices and presented a series of its awareness movies on the oasis theater.

"Through a dedicated corner for them, the authority's employees have also raised the children's awareness about food safety essentials using modern and sophisticated methods. This included the presentation of "Zadna" animation movie, which addresses specific topics closely related to children, such as the importance of washing hands before and after eating, the importance of washing vegetables and fruits properly before eating, and food poisoning and ways of its prevention," he indicated.

 Al Qasimi underscored the success of the agricultural oasis in marketing more than 70,000 kilograms of local vegetables and fruits through the Emiratis farmers market. The market aimed at introducing visitors of different nationalities to the quality of the local product and the achievements of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in the agriculture area. He highlighted the oasis' role in promoting the local product and increasing consumer confidence in it.

He thanked the festival's Organizing Committee and the participants. He further affirmed that Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival has contributed to enriching the UAE culture and heritage, as it became an important crossroads of civilizations and a civilized gathering for different races and nationalities. This enabled the authority to effectively participate in the event, particularly in light of the great and remarkable development witnessed by the festival.

In collaboration with Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for humanitarian work, and under its Auwn program for community service, ADFCA also organized an event themed "Tabak Al Khair", which coincides with the Year of Tolerance. This reflects the authority's commitment to its role and responsibilities towards members and institutions of the society, as it keens on enabling its employees to contribute to serving their community. During "Tabak Al Khair" event, the authority's female employees have prepared many kinds of food and sold it to visitors. The revenues of those meals were used in supporting the State's charitable and humanitarian institutions as well as the needy persons.

During this year participation, ADFCA introduced the festival's visitors to the achievements of the founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God have mercy upon him, in the field of agriculture and food security. Moreover, the authority was keen to raise their awareness about essentials of food safety, encourage them to adopt community farming and preserve natural resources for future generations, increase consumer confidence in local products, present the best practices for animal husbandry, and introduce them to animal welfare law and its close relation with religious and social principles and teachings.