New AED 6.7 million award to recognise innovation in agriculture

An award with AED 6.7 million in prize money has been launched in Abu Dhabi to recognise outstanding farmers and livestock breeders.

The Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence aims to promote agricultural innovation and encourage farm owners to adopt best practices and modern farming systems.

It will be awarded annually by the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) across three main categories: Outstanding Farmer & Breeder, Agricultural Innovation, and Commercial Farms.

About 56 shortlisted nominees, including beekeepers and owners of productive, aquatic and commercial farms, will compete for recognition.

"The agricultural sector is central to economic growth, supporting socio-environmental development, increasing farmer and breeder profits. This sector was and still the catalyst for development, stability and prosperity," said His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Court, and Chairman of ADAFSA.

Mansour bin Zayed: "The agricultural sector is central to economic growth, supporting socio-environmental development. The award is launched to encourage farmers and breeders in the UAE to adopt global practices, to improve and instill innovation in the agricultural sector." pic.twitter.com/HBhNEKf1tO

— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) December 8, 2022

The award has been launched in conjunction with the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba.

To promote its objectives, various accompanying activities and events will be held during the festival, including competitions for date producers, productive families and livestock breeders, and a weekly livestock auction.

The application process for the award is now open, and will close on December 31, when the technical and field evaluation process will begin.