4 UAE companies in race for agri innovation awards
Dubai, March 12, 2014
Four UAE-based agriculture industry companies are in the race for their sustainable agriculture innovations for the 2014 AgraME Awards to be held in Dubai this month.
The awards ceremony which will take place on March 25 is a part of the Agra Middle East exhibition, which runs from March 25 to 27 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The award organisers have released the shortlist of 14 projects across six categories, with the winners to be announced at the ceremony.
The categories include ‘Farm Innovation Award – Agriculture’, ‘Farm Innovation Award – Poultry’, ‘Best organic farm in the region’, ‘Best New Product for Gulf Market – Agriculture’, ‘Best New Product for Gulf Market – Poultry’ and ‘Best New Product for Gulf Market – Landscaping.’
Globcom General Trading, a Dubai-based commodities trading and trade finance company, is a major contender with three nominations in the farm innovation in agriculture, best new poultry for the Gulf’ and best new landscaping product categories.
The firm’s ecological irrigation system ‘Poritex’ exudes water uniformly through a porous fabric tube resulting in water saving by up to 50 to 80 per cent compared to other irrigation systems.
Abu Dhabi Farmers' Services Centre (ADFSC) follows with dual nominations for their agriculture investment fund for Abu Dhabi farmers in the farm innovation in agriculture and farm innovation in poultry’categories.
The fund is used for investments in hydroponics, a soilless farming method that reduces water consumption by up to 80 per cent and helps farmers learn sustainable and water efficient farming techniques to maximise the profitability of farms in the emirate.
Other prominent shortlisted finalists include Al Ardh Al Khadra Agricultural Soil Conditioners for its organic soil conditioners in the best new agriculture product category, and Resysta Building Material in the best new landscaping product category for their sustainable outdoor furniture that uses rice flakes as the main material.
Richard Pavitt, exhibition director, said: “The shortlist reflects how strong and diverse our farming industry is in the UAE. These companies share a commitment to protect and preserve the UAE’s resources while continuing to provide exclusive agricultural products for the country and across the region.
“These companies are changing the way food is grown and it seems the sky is the limit when it comes to projects to increase locally grown, sustainably produced food.”
The event is co-located with VET Middle East, the leading event for the burgeoning veterinary industry in the region. - TradeArabia News Service
