Organic farming acreage likely to double

Area under organic cultivation in the UAE is set to double this year in the backdrop of the increasing support and encouragement from the UAE government agencies in order to promote the sector.

Total area under organic farming will be increased to 3,000 acres as the demand for natural food products is on the rise, said experts.

They said the focus on organic farming has come at a time when the market for organic and natural food products have started picking up in the UAE as well as in the region.

According to global data, Middle East is considered to be the fastest growing market for natural and organic foods. As per the current estimate, the global market for these alternatives to conventional food is to the tune of $220bn, while the Asian market, including the Middle East is estimated to be at over $500 million.

"The pace of growth in the uptake of organic and natural food products is catching up at a rapid pace in the region in line with the global growth of 20-25 per cent a year, said Eng. Nadim Al Fuqaha, Managing Director, Global Links, organisers of the sixth edition of the Middle East Natural and Organic Products Expo (Menope 2008).

"With production and sales of natural and organic products in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Oman increasing, there are 3,000 outlets displaying these natural and alternative products across the region including pharmacists' and health related networks. The UAE Government is also encouraging the practice of organic farming for environment conservation, along with the instigation of alternative medicine and treatments," Nadim added.

The show is supported by the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water as well as the Ministry of Health.

He said organic farming is catching up in the region with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman leading the Gulf countries which are keen to generate food resources internally.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.