The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) opens three markets today for farmers to sell their products directly to the public consumers throughout the farming season. Meanwhile, a market will be opened in Al Shamkha's Makani Mall early in December.

Three markets to be opened at Al Shahama, Deerfields Mall and Liwa city in Al Dhafra.. From now until 30 April 2020, the markets will open its doors to customers from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m, during the weekend on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

During this year, farmers' markets offer 67 farmers in Abu Dhabi a unique marketing platform to market and sell their products directly to customers. In addition, Al Shahama market has spaces for 30 farmers to market their products. Meanwhile, these markets provide spaces for 20 farmers in Deerfields Mall, 10 farmers in Makani Mall and seven farmers in Liwa market.

Farmers' markets are one of ADAFSA's important means to support Abu Dhabi's farmers and enable them sell farm products directly to customers. These markets are important in promoting local product and increasing its competitiveness. In farmers' markets, fresh local vegetables and fruits, dates, palm tree seedlings and other local products are displayed to consumers near to their home.

In this regard, Mr. Ali Yousef Al Saad, Acting Director of ADAFSA's Communication & Community Service Division, stressed the ADAFSA keenness on enabling farmers to sell their fresh products directly to consumers. He indicated the markets are one of the best ways to support farmers and local products alike. Moreover, consumers can buy their needs of vegetables, fruits and other fresh local products from one place.

"We are keen to achieve integration of operations for supporting the agriculture sustainability and fostering food security system. Therefore, facilitating the process of selling local products in markets is one of ADAFSA's important activities in supporting the agriculture sector and farmers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. ADAFSA is working on applying the best agricultural practices, building the capacity of farmers and extension engineers, improving control and inspection systems, and educating farmers about the best harvest and post-harvest practices, Al Saad added.

Due to the great number of sales and upon request of farmers, ADAFSA is keen to develop these markets every year, whether by expanding existing markets or opening new ones, Al Saad noted.

"This year, a farmers' market will be opened in Al Shamkha's Makani Mall. We hope to open more markets in the coming years, to serve more farmers and consumers across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi," he said.

According to Al Saad, ADAFSA organized three markets last year in Al Shahama, Deerfields Mall and Liwa city in Al Dhafra, farmers were sold products with AED 1.2 million . He noted that ADAFSA's role is to maximizing return of farmers by holding and promoting these markets.​

ADAFSA provides technical and operational support services to farmers, and help them grow crops that meet the market needs.  ADAFSA also works on opening various channels for marketing farm owners' produce through its brand "Local Harvest" as well as promoting its supply chain from farm to fork.