The Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) has announced it will participate in Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival 2017, which is set to be held in Al Wathba district, Abu Dhabi, from the 1st of Dec, 2017 to the 27th of Jan, 2018. Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, the festival will be held under the guidance and support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces; and under the direct supervision of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of ADFCA.
During the festival, the authority will organise the Agriculture Oasis – the authority's stand in the festival- in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Centre and Food Security Center. The Agriculture Oasis will allow farmers to present their local products to visitors in order to support them, as well as introducing the public to the best national products. In addition, the authority will organise, for the first time, the awareness corner, which will include many educational and awareness workshops, such as "Little Analyst", "Little Beekeeper" and "Little Farmer". The oasis also includes "Local Harvest Kitchen", where innovative recipes are prepared to promote food made from local agricultural products.
In this regard, Thamer Al Qasemi, ADFCA's Spokesperson, said that organising the Agriculture Oasis is part of the authority's efforts aim at introducing visitors to the development experienced by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and projects implemented by ADFCA to achieve agricultural sustainability. The oasis also aims to introduce visitors to the authority's services provided to farmers or livestock breeders, to improve the food sector, in addition to supporting the local product by providing stands for farmers to present their products.
Al Qasemi added that this edition of the festival is coinciding with the dawn of the "Year of Zayed," which represents an important addition to this cultural event. "ADFCA's participation reflects the interest of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God have mercy upon him) in agriculture. It also tells the story of transforming dunes of sand into fertile lands and fruitful oases by Zayed's good determination and wise vision. The late Sheikh Zayed was interested in the UAE's heritage in particular and the global heritage in general," Al Qasemi said.
"This edition of the festival brings to life the local and global heritage. It will enable visitors to embark on a cultural voyage blending UAE and world heritage in an immersive, interactive collection of performances, pavilions and events," ADFCA's spokesperson stated.
He pointed out that ADFCA's participation will see many workshops aim to raise the awareness of the public about the authority's activities. These activities include awareness lectures which will be presented throughout the festival. Al Qasemi further added that the Agricultural Oasis will allow the public to participate in many events, activities and competitions. He added that the workshops will guide visitors to plant a garden, as well as introducing them to the seedlings and fertilizers suitable for the climatic conditions of the state.
