The Ministry of Environment of Water has organized a Field Day Forum at Yousef Ahmed Al Mansouri’s farm in Al Hamranyah, Ras al-Khaimah’s Haramel area with the participation of farmers and farm workers from the Northern Region. The forum on the proper pruning of palm trees was organized to educate participants on the detection of pests and the best means of protection.

The Ministry explained its vision, mission and strategic plan for the 2014-2016 period. The strategy is based on five objectives, namely, promoting integrated water resource management and sustainability, enhancing environmental sustainability, preventing agricultural pests and animal communicable diseases, enhancing food safety and sustainability of local production, and ensuring the provision of all administrative services in accordance with the highest quality, efficiency and transparency standards.

Other topics discussed were the Ministry-provided services offered to farmers free of charge or half the price to help meet production requirements, challenges facing farmers, anti-palm pest campaign of the Ministry and Sweidan Company, treatment of palm trees damaged by red palm weevils, when and how to fertilize palm trees, and proper usage of pesticides to eliminate harmful pests.

The Ministry has launched the ‘Nakheelna’ initiative as part of the second phase of its national campaign against red palm weevils and other major pests affecting palm trees. The initiative has entered a new phase which will continue until the end of 2017.  ‘Nakheelna’ reflects the Ministry’s commitment to the sustainability of palm planting; food security; efforts to combat agricultural threats such as diseases and pests; pest control; and efficient and enhanced services for local palm tree farmers. The new stage involves the development of requirements and technical specifications to ensure cohesive procedures and services provided by the Ministry to palm tree farmers.