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Locally produced organic food
KHULOOD AL JASIMI
Green to help you stay fit and healthy. Khulood AJasimi/DWC
At the supermarket I stand in the
vegetable section comparing two
cucumbers, one organic and one
non-organic. To look at, they’re
the same shape, color, and size;
the difference is the nutritients
and vitamins each of them contains.
UAE consumer demand for organic
food increases every year. Statistics
from the Ministry of Environment
and Water show that the whole
vegetable growing area in the UAE
is 14,710 donum (1donum=100
m2). This area produces both
organic and non-organic tomatoes,
cucumbers, peppers, beans, squash,
eggplant, cauliflower, cabbage,
watermelon, okra, and others.
Consumers question the health
impact of chemicals used to grow
their food. “We need to have laws,”
says Mr. Ahmad Al Kitbi, a farmer
in Al-Ain. His farm produces
many organic vegetables such
as lettuce, cucumbers, eggplant,
arugula and watermelon.
“I ask the concerned authorities to
monitor all agriculture products,”
says Abdullah Al Shamsi, an Emirati
farmer who produces organic
food. “The authorities need to
make sure that those products
are completely free of harmful
chemicals that cause diseases.”
The government is addressing
consumer concerns about whether
or not the food is organic and safe
for their health. “The regulations
are strict and make sure products
are organic. Products are examined
to make sure they are organic 100
percent, starting from seeds, and
remain chemical free through all
stages of the production, packing
and local distribution,” says Sumaya
Al Rais, Director of Animal and
Plant Health in the Ministry
of Environment and Water.
“THE REGULA-
TIONS ARE STRICT
AND MAKE SURE
PRODUCTS ARE
ORGANIC.
PRODUCTS ARE
ExAMINED TO
MAKE SURE THEY
ARE ORGANIC
100 PERCENT,...”
This is important as more farms
produce organic vegetables and
fruit; all farms are approved by
the government and supervised
by the Ministry of Environment
and Water. “In Dubai, there are
11 farms now,” Al Rais stated.
Organic food provides better
nutritional value. “Organic foods
are healthier because they contain
more than 50 percent of the daily
use of vitamins, minerals and
enzymes,” notes Dr. Hussein Ali
Taha, Ministry of Environment
and Water.
An ‘A’ symbol is stamped on
both local and imported organic
foods for easier identification by
shoppers. This is required in all
supermarkets. Alia Ahmad, a housewife,
recognizes the trademark. “I
choose the organic fruit and vegetables
that have the stamp; it is a
bit expensive but healthier.” Noora
Mohammed, another housewife
does the same. “There is a separate
section for organic food in the
Union Cooperative Society where
products are stamped with the
Ministry of Environment and
Water trademark.”