Dubai Municipality Confirms 3rd Edition Of Hatta Farming Festival With Expanded Participation And Government-private Sector Support

The third edition of the Hatta Farming Festival is now under way at Hatta Leem Lake, with Dubai Municipality positioning the event as a key community and agri-tourism platform that links farmers, support entities and visitors, while also backing Dubai’s wider strategy to develop Hatta’s rural economy and strengthen food security.

Running until 1st February, the festival offers free entry for the public and free registration for Hatta residents who wish to participate. Permit fees for temporary food-related activities during the event are waived, which lowers costs for small producers and encourages wider participation from local farms, families and home-based businesses.

The festival forms part of the "Dubai Farms" programme, which was launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Development and Citizens Affairs, aligning agricultural development in Hatta with broader emirate-level priorities.

Dubai Municipality has expanded direct support for Hatta’s agricultural sector to AED3.7 million, reinforcing the Hatta Farming Festival’s role as an economic driver. The support package covers 24,675 bags of organic and chemical fertilisers, 5,170 bags of diverse seed varieties, and technical extension services, including pest control, to help maintain sustainable production under the Municipality’s supervision.

The current edition introduces a larger presence of specialised farms, agricultural estates and local agribusinesses compared with previous years. Participants showcase innovative agricultural products and modern farming solutions, turning the Hatta Farming Festival into a structured marketplace where local producers can reach consumers, test new offerings and gain direct feedback on product quality.

Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, Director-General of Dubai Municipality, said the Hatta Farming Festival supports farmers and local producers by providing access to organised markets, training and advisory services, helping improve product quality and farm sustainability while supporting Dubai’s food security.

Hatta Farming Festival and Dubai Municipality community focus

The Hatta Farming Festival is designed as a community-led destination where farmers, producers, families and visitors interact in one venue. The programme highlights national products and local agriculture, while promoting awareness of sustainability. Workshops, competitions and live activities encourage learning and participation, supporting healthier, more inclusive lifestyles across Hatta and other parts of the emirate.

This year, for the first time, the festival includes broad participation from government bodies and private sector partners to support People of Determination. These entities work with Dubai Municipality to involve participants in product exhibitions, workshops and side activities, helping integrate them into local value chains and linking social inclusion with agricultural market growth.

Hatta Farming Festival and Dubai Municipality tourism initiatives

The festival is part of the ‘Hatta Winter’ initiative from Brand Dubai, the creative arm of the Government of Dubai Media Office, launched under the directives and patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council. It is organised under the supervision of the Supreme Committee to Oversee the Development of Hatta.

By contributing to the #DubaiDestinations campaign, the Hatta Farming Festival underscores Hatta’s tourism, heritage and agricultural appeal. The event supports Hatta’s positioning as a destination with natural landscapes, cultural sites and rural experiences, strengthening agri-tourism and eco-tourism offerings that complement other development projects in the area.

The programme at Hatta Leem Lake includes organised platforms where farmers and families sell locally produced agricultural and household products, along with stands for Dubai Central Laboratory and veterinary services. Visitors can also attend training and advisory sessions, a livestock beauty and quality contest, and several competitions and prizes designed for farmers, farms and the wider public.

Dubai Municipality states that the Hatta Farming Festival helps make Hatta a model for sustainable rural development, while modern agricultural technologies are introduced through three tourism and production projects linked to the "Dubai Farms" programme. By bringing producers, agri-tourism activities, support organisations and consumers together, the festival promotes organised markets, knowledge sharing and long-term sustainable agricultural practices in the UAE.

With inputs from WAM