Farmers Have 15 Days To Register For Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award

The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has reminded farmers, livestock breeders, and commercial farms that they have 15 days left to register for the third Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award (SMAEA). The deadline for submissions is set for 15th November, as confirmed by the Supreme Committee overseeing the award.

This year's award, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, features the theme "Innovative Farmers & Breeders with a Sustainable Vision." It includes four main categories, 13 sub-categories, and 87 competitions. The total prize pool exceeds AED 10 million, offering significant incentives for participants.

To assist potential candidates in the registration process, ADAFSA released a video detailing the necessary steps. This guide outlines the documents and information needed to ensure nominations meet eligibility criteria. Mubarak Ali Al Mansouri, a member of the SMAEA Supreme Committee and Chairman of its Accompanying Competitions & Festivals Committee, expressed satisfaction with the high participation rate.

"We are delighted with the great turnout for the third edition of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award. We encourage all farmers, livestock farmers, and commercial farms in the UAE to take advantage of this opportunity and highlight the values of innovation and sustainability they incorporate into their business."

Beyond monetary rewards, winning or participating in this award can significantly boost market competitiveness. Recognition from such an esteemed award enhances consumer trust in quality. This year introduces several improvements to ensure fairness among candidates. New evaluation criteria include assessing production water footprint and efficiency.

The cost value for developing plant and animal farms is also considered alongside financial returns. These changes aim to provide equal opportunities for all participants. Interested parties can learn more about categories, evaluation criteria, and registration by visiting https://smaea.ae or calling 800-76232.

The award's organisers hope these enhancements will attract more participants eager to showcase their innovative practices. By recognising excellence in agriculture, they aim to promote sustainable farming methods across the UAE.

With inputs from WAM