ABU DHABI: The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Emirates News Agency (WAM), whereby WAM will be a media partner for the second edition of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award.
The agreement was signed by Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri, Director-General of ADAFSA, and Mohamed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of WAM, in the presence of Dr. Mariam Hareb Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director-General for Operational Affairs at ADAFSA, and the head of the organising committee for the award, along with officials from both sides. The signing took place at the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award pavilion at the Sheikh Zayed Festival in the Al Wathba area of Abu Dhabi.
Under the agreement, the Emirates News Agency will provide media coverage for various activities of the award in all languages. Additionally, WAM will supply its partners with coverage to ensure the broadest dissemination of the award’s media content.
On this occasion, Saeed Al Bahri Salem Al Ameri emphasised that the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award, launched under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of ADAFSA, embodies the wise leadership’s commitment to supporting and appreciating distinguished farmers and breeders. It provides an ideal platform to encourage them to adopt sustainable and innovative agricultural practices that support the country’s efforts in achieving food security and enhancing the quality of local production.
He affirmed that the signing of the media partnership agreement with the Emirates News Agency comes from the belief in the distinguished role played by WAM as a national media institution in highlighting the importance of this award and its role in consolidating the achievements of the country in the fields of agricultural sustainability, food security, and biodiversity.
He added that this collaboration provides an opportunity to leverage the global media partnerships established by the Emirates News Agency with numerous international media institutions to spotlight the award and its prominent role. He pointed out that with the successive developments at WAM and the expansion of its news services, now available in 19 languages, the award is given the opportunity to benefit from a distinctive media platform to showcase its objectives and highlight the agricultural achievements of the country.
In turn, Al Rayssi expressed his pride in the Emirates News Agency being a media partner for the award. He affirmed that the award reflects the support of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan for farmers. This support is in line with the wise leadership’s belief in the importance of the agriculture and livestock sector, considering it a fundamental pillar supporting efforts to achieve sustainable economic prosperity across all sectors.
He emphasised the commitment of the Emirates News Agency to providing distinctive and innovative media coverage for all events of the award, culminating in the announcement of the winners in its second edition. He praised the efforts of the ADAFSA for encouraging farmers and breeders to compete and participate in the second edition, aiming to receive the honour of winning this prestigious award.
The Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award, launched by ADAFSA, aims to stimulate the agricultural sector in both plant and animal aspects. It seeks to honour outstanding farmers and livestock breeders in the country, highlighting their role in achieving agricultural sustainability, food security, and enhancing the quality of local production. The award also aims to promote a spirit of positive competition among farmers and livestock breeders.
ADAFSA received 621 applications from all emirates of the country to participate in the second edition of the award and the accompanying festivals and competitions. This includes 328 applications competing for the main award and 293 applications for participation in the associated competitions.
The second edition of the award is distinguished by an increase in its total prize value to AED10 million. Additionally, a new category has been introduced within the award’s classifications this year. The event also includes the organisation of 9 diverse festivals and 21 accompanying competitions held as part of the Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba.
The award has been divided into four main categories. The first category includes 8 subcategories for outstanding farmers and breeders. Four awards have been designated for plant-related categories, specifically the Best Open Field Farming, Best Greenhouse Farming, Best Fruit Farm, and Best Organic Farm. The remaining four awards in the animal-related category include the Productive Livestock category, Small Producers category, Beekeepers category, and Aquatic Life category.
The second category is dedicated to agricultural innovation and includes two awards: one for plant-based agricultural innovation and the other for innovation in animal production. The third category is specifically allocated for commercial farms and consists of two awards-one for commercial plant farms and the other for commercial animal production farms.
In the second edition of the award, a new category has been introduced, specifically tailored for the best women farm and livestock owners. This category includes two awards: one for the best distinguished female farmer and the other for the best distinguished female livestock breeder. The aim is to support and highlight the role and efforts of women in the agricultural sector and their contribution to enhancing the food security system.
Source: Emirates News Agency
