The sales of agricultural supply centres of the Abu Dhabi Farmers’ Service Centre (ADFSC) jumped by 22.6 percent during H1 2018 compared to the same period last year.

 

The total sales of these centres reached up to Dh3.6 million compared to Dh2.89 million during H1 2017 due to the demand from farmers to purchase seeds and fertilisers, which singlehandedly accounted for the large rate of sales, said a Wam news agency report. This led to an increase in the sales of various types of seeds, fertilisers, irrigation equipment, feed additives, veterinary materials and others.

 

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.

 

These centres provide all the agricultural needs at competitive prices; give technical support and advice to farmers; raise awareness of the optimum use of agricultural products; recommend the best types of fertilisers and quantities for each crop, and the application of good and effective agricultural techniques to increase farm productivity.

 

The ADFSC also managed to market about 14,600 tonnes of fresh vegetables from Abu Dhabi farms in the first half of this year, an increase of about 7 percent 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.

 

Thafer Al Qasimi, 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 that the marketing terminal of the ADFSC aims to provide the market and traders with high-quality standard products, which are supervised by specialists. He also pointed out that the marketing activities of the centre helped achieve remarkable growth from year to year, supported the competitiveness of local products, and enhanced its position in the market.

 

He explained that the centres selling agricultural products represent one of the main pillars of supporting farmers, developing farm revenues, and supporting the local products as they are keen to provide agricultural products at competitive prices, thus helping to reduce the cost of production to farm owners, achieving the best returns, and ensuring the sustainability of agriculture.