The Municipality and Planning Department – Ajman (MPDA) organized a dialogue session in conjunction with the “Plant the Emirates” National Program, in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Ministry of Community Development, and the Ajman Society of social and cultural development, at Al Wasl Majlis in the Emirate of Ajman. The session addressed raising awareness of the importance of agriculture and environmental sustainability, and supporting community partnership to preserve the environmental heritage and encourage local production, in order to achieve the strategic goal of increasing greeneries and beautifying the Emirate’s facilities.
The session was attended by Mr. Ahmed Saif Al Muhairi, the MPDA’s Director of the Agriculture and Public Parks Department, Her Excellency Mona Saqr Al Matroushi, Director General of the Ajman Society of Social & Cultural Development and Member of the Ajman Business Women Council, Ms. Sarah Al Madani, Head of the Education and Awareness Department at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Ms. Mona Al Kaabi from the Ministry of Community Development and a myriad of officials, in addition to individuals from various segments of society, senior citizens, people of determination, and school students.
Mr. Ahmed Saif Al Muhairi stressed that the wise leadership’s interest in supporting agriculture reflects the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may his soul rest in peace. The MPDA works in strategic cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to support the sustainability of environmental projects, such as planting mangrove trees, which are one of the environmental symbols inherited by the UAE. Over the past four years, more than 50,000 mangrove trees have been planted in the Al Zorah Reserve, which enhances air quality, reduces carbon emissions, and contributes to achieving climate neutrality.
Ms. Sarah Al Madani spoke about the State-launched “Plant the Emirates” Initiative aimed at enhancing environmental awareness and encouraging individuals to grow at home, which contributes to achieving self-sufficiency in fruits and vegetables. She called on all segments of society to take part in agricultural initiatives to preserve the environment, stressing the importance of promoting this culture through workshops and awareness events.
Ms. Mona Al Kaabi referred to the initiative to empower people of determination and their families in the field of hydroponics, where they are trained and qualified to use this modern technology in growing home crops. The initiative has achieved results in producing various crops that enhance self-sufficiency.
At the end of the session, Mr. Ubaid Al Shamsi, agriculture and sustainability expert, asserted that the UAE soil today is capable of producing various crops thanks to modern technologies that can be applied at homes, praising the support of the wise leadership in enhancing agricultural sustainability and enabling society to achieve self-sufficiency.
The session eyed great interaction from the attendees, as they shared their experiences and expertise in home agriculture, and voiced their willingness to participate in future agricultural initiatives aimed at encouraging society to self-production at home, which reflects their commitment to preserving the environment and improving life quality in the Emirate of Ajman.
