Wheat will soon be grown in a section of Sharjah that was a desolate desert two months ago, helping to increase the local food supply. The Sharjah Ruler, Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi went to the farm in Mleiha on Sunday to see the transformation.
He authorized the initiative in late November and put wheat seeds onto the parched, brown earth. Agricultural technology and extensive irrigation have transformed the farm, roughly the size of 500 football fields, into a lush oasis.
Sheikh Dr. Sultan “praised the work done in a short period, which complements the vision of Sharjah in enhancing food security and opening the doors to other projects that would benefit the region,” according to Wam reports. Sheikh Dr. Sultan received an update on the ongoing experiments and intentions to increase wheat production in the area.
A reservoir located 13 km away is used to water the area. Six massive suction pumps are used by the station to supply the site with up to 60,000 cubic meters of water each day. AI-based technologies keep an eye on the weather and the soil to ensure no water is wasted.
The farm will be expanded by the government of Sharjah. The UAE, which imports 80% of its food, is actively investing in technology to improve food security. In contrast, most of the food consumed in the Middle East and North Africa is imported.
A growing number of initiatives are being made nationwide to develop indigenous food sources, including “red gold” saffron grown in vertical farms and rice fields that mirror those in southern India. Fruits like guava, papaya, and even pineapple are being produced by traditional Emirati farmers.
