The events of second Agricultural Exhibition, organized by Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority in Al Ain during February 22 � 25, 2012, will kick off tomorrow.
Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Presidential Affairs and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority, the exhibition will occupy 7000 square meters of space at the Al Ain Conference Centre.
Expected to attract more than 4000 visitors and a host of exhibitors from the agriculture and animal wealth sectors, the event will also have the participation of several government, semi-government and private organizations, UAE-based agriculture and animal care companies and factories and sponsors, including ADFCA and the Farmers' Services Centre. Local farmers and animal breeders are also expected to turn up in large numbers.
The exhibition consists of a number of wings and sections scattered over 150 platforms, which include sections for modern irrigation systems, chemical and organic fertilizer systems, modern farming systems, different machines and equipment used in farming and post-harvest operations. There will be separate sections for local produce, animal production and date palms.
HE Mubarak Ali Mohamed Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, said: "This exhibition is intended to introduce to the farmers and development partners and the public the vision of ADFCA, its message, priorities and values, especially the directives of the agricultural policy and the initiatives of the agriculture sector. This is in addition to the latest technology, machinery and equipment used in farming."
Al Mansouri pointed out that the exhibition would also provide opportunities for exchange of ideas and expertise among all the players in the agriculture sector from both the public and private sectors. "This will greatly contribute to a sustainable future for agriculture and animal husbandry," he added.
Mohamed Jalal Al Reyaysa, Director of Communication and Community Service at ADFCA, said the exhibition would expose all to the best and latest methods in farming, state of the art technologies and equipment and the most efficient means for judicious use of natural resources, especially water. "The choice of Al Ain to host the event is because around 50% of the farms of Abu Dhabi Emirate are located therein. We hope the event will attract a large number of people. We made participation at the event free of cost in order to maximize participation by private and public organizations working in the sector," he explained.
A number of diverse events and programs, such as conferences, awareness programs, cultural contests, theater performances and auctions will be part of the exhibition. Prizes will be given to the best government exhibitor, best exhibitors (company or factory or institution) in the sphere of plants and animals.
Moreover, cash prizes will be given to three each of the best farms in the spheres of plants and animal production and the best agricultural technology on display. Some breeds of sheep and goats will be auctioned during the events. The event will be open for the public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. except on Friday when it will commence at 2 p.m.
Sponsors and supporters of Al Ain Exhibition include Al Foah and Aghdia as strategic partners, Al Dhahra, First Gulf Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank as strategic sponsors, and ADNOC, Al Anhar, Al Wadi Engineering Contracting Establishment, Saif & Bin Harmal Drilling Establishment, Bin Ham Electrical and Mechanical Establishments, Tridex Trading & Services EST and Al Wathba Company for Central Services as supporting sponsors.