Going Organic
The government of the United Arab Emirates is working together with local businesses to bring more organic food to the area. Despite the economic slowdown, indicators suggest that the regional market for organic goods is growing. While there are still major hurdles, the outlook is good.
The higher costs associated with organic foods is a problem in the current global econony. An additional problem is Dubai’s location in a large desert. Most organic foods must be flown in and the air miles required to transport the food are a distinct ecological downside.
The government of Dubai has been working to encourage more local farms to begin producing organic crops. The committment to pesticide-free produce is important in a country with the second highest rate of diabetes in the world. To date, over 1400 hectares of farmland have been devoted to organic crops.
Some of the restaurants Dubai are taking advantage of the increased availability of organic foods. With the large hospitality industry in the area, hotels, restaurants, and other food businesses can distinguish themselves from the competition by offering organic and local foods.
There are twenty-four farms across the UAE currently producing organic foods and additional lands are converted every month. The government’s program provides incentives such as discounted machinery to farmers who go organic. They also provide education on the process for converting farmland and the real costs of organic farming.
Salah Abdullah, head of organics at the UAE Ministry of Agriculture and Water explained that organic farming can actually be cheaper. Farmers no long have to purchase artificial fertilizers and those with farm animals have their own ready-made natural fertilizer.
Globally, the organic food market is predicted to reach $70.2 billion (USD) by the end of next year.