The sales of agricultural supply centres of the Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Service Centre (ADFSC) jumped by 22.6 per cent during the first six months of 2018 compared to the same period last year.

The total sales at these centres reached up to Dh3.6 million from Dh2.89 million last year due to the demand from farmers to purchase seeds and fertilisers, which singlehandedly accounted for the large rate of sales.

This led to an increase in the sales of various types of seeds, fertilizers, irrigation equipment, feed additives, veterinary materials and others, said the statement from ADFSC.

There are six centres in Abu Dhabi, three in Al Dhafra in Madinat Zayed, Mazra'a and Ghayathi, respectively. There are two in Abu Dhabi, located in Al Khatim and Al Rahba, and one in Al Khubaisi in Al Ain, it stated.

The ADFSC said it managed to market about 14,600 tonnes of fresh vegetables from Abu Dhabi farms in the first half of this year, up 7 per cent over the same period last year.

The number of products marketed on behalf of the farmers reached about 13,500 tonnes of the 59 varieties of agricultural crops produced by the farms of Abu Dhabi.

The farmers' products are marketed through various marketing channels, including important contracts with major retail centres in the UAE; 13 retail outlets owned by the centre; 13 branches in Abu Dhabi, seven branches in Abu Dhabi City, four branches in Al Ain, and two in Al Dhafra, it added.

Thafer Al Qasimi, the director of operations and trade at the Farmers' Service Centre, said: "We are keen to increase the income of farmers by marketing their products in an attractive way as a final stage, preceded by many stages of care and attention from the beginning of cultivation to harvesting."

"The ADFSC addresses agricultural and animal products at a standard not just to be accepted by consumers but to conform to the highest international standards," he added.-TradeArabia News Service