WadiOnline News - RAK Farmers Hamstrung By Lack Of Water, Information

RAK Farmers Hamstrung by Lack of Water, Information

Publish Date: 2009-07-04 10:00:05 Story Code: 17375

RAS AL KHAIMAH - Water shortage, lack of information about the latest techniques and equipment and spread of pests and diseases are the major problems facing the agricultural sector in Ras Al Khaimah.

These problems have largely contributed to the poor quality of produce and low output in the emirate, farmers informed Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahd, Minister of Environment and Water, at a meeting during his recent visit to Ras Al Khaimah.

The minister advised them to form a society that could liaison with the ministry and raise their issues.

Dates, mangoes and tomatoes are the main farm products in the emirate.

Abdullah Khalifan, who owns a date palm plantation in the Hamraniyyah area, said, “We are getting insufficient water for irrigating our plants and this has on many occasions reduced the agricultural production. Sometimes, the crops do not get enough water leading to  poor harvests.”

He stressed the need for setting up a desalination plant near the agricultural areas to supply water to the farms. This would help increase crop production and boost the agricultural sector.

“Pests such as weevils and diseases have, on many occasions, invaded my date palm and tomato plantations. Last season, I suffered huge losses as many trees perished due to diseases,” said Hassan Al Mansour, another farmer in the emirate. He noted besides being expensive, the pesticides sold in some shops are not effective. “Some poor farmers cannot afford the pesticides to spray on their crops. Buying manures become hard for them.” He also stressed the need to conduct proper research regarding prevention of pests and diseases in addition to information about the modern agricultural methods that would help the farmers improve the quality of their produce.

Abu Kassim, a farmer in Hamraniyyah, said, “Most of us are using obsolete agricultural equipment in our farms.� We are also not updated about the findings of the latest agricultural researches, thus making it hard to compete with our counterparts in other emirates like Abu Dhabi in terms of quality and quantity. “The government must provide us with the necessary assistance so as to improve our work.”

Dr Rashid Bin Fahd advised the farmers to form a society which would link them directly to the ministry and could petition the authorities concerned to address their problems.

“The farmers’ body would coordinate with the ministry to help promote the farming activities in Ras Al Khaimah in addition to lobby for the necessary research needed by the farmers to improve their production,” said the minister said. He added the ministry is keen on supporting and promoting agricultural activities in all emirates and the authorities are chalking out strategies to improve agricultural productivity.

ismail@kahleejtimes.com

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Source: Khaleej Times
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RAK Farmers Hamstrung by Lack of Water, Information

RAK Farmers Hamstrung by Lack of Water, Information