The campaign which began in the Western Region in the emirate to enrol around 8,500 farms in the region will be extended to Abu Dhabi and Al Ain regions as well, said a statement issued by FSC.

The FSC is an organ of the Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority (ADFCA) which is responsible for agriculture and animal welfare in the emirate.

Government support

Membership in the FSC, which is free and takes a few minutes over the phone, is henceforth a condition as per Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority Regulation No. 7 for benefiting from continued government support, the statement said.

It also entitles the farmers to a range of free services from the centre, including access to seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs at competitive prices, priority access to the marketing chain and expert technological and scientific advice.

The FSC said it is a significant move aimed at linking government support for farming with the goals of sustainability, profitability and food security.

The membership campaign will result in comprehensive and reliable data on agriculture in the emirate, eventually facilitating implementation of best uniform agricultural practices across the 24,000 farms in the emirate.

Efficiency

Khalifa Ahmad Al Ali, director general of FSC, said the centre was committed to helping local farmers identify and grow the best possible produce using the most efficient agricultural practices.