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The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) marked UAE Flag Day with a flag-raising ceremony at its headquarters in <a href="https://middleeastdaily.net/dubai-chamber-of-digital-economy-signs-mou-with-alibaba-cloud-to-advance-adoption-of-agentic-ai-across-the-business-community-in-dubai/”>Dubai. Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of ICBA, joined farmers from across the Emirates, agricultural extension service professionals and ICBA staff to raise the national flag.
The ceremony brought participants together to express their pride in the Union and their commitment to serving the UAE. The farmers’ participation highlighted their contribution to the country’s food security through the food they grow and their care for the land and water on which production depends.
Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi said: “The UAE flag represents our unity, our sense of belonging and our shared commitment to serving the country and contributing to its progress. At ICBA, we put that commitment into practice through applied research that supports farmers, protects natural resources and contributes to food security. Caring for the UAE’s soil and water, strengthening its capacity to produce food and sharing what we learn are ways we can serve the country today and
help future generations continue to farm its land.”
Dr. Tarifa added: “We are proud to mark Flag Day alongside farmers and agricultural extension service professionals who work every day to care for the land and sustain its productivity.
Researchers, extension professionals and farmers each bring a different kind of expertise. We share a responsibility to put that knowledge to work for the UAE and its future.”
Abdullah Saeed Mohammed Al Zaabi, a farmer from Kalba in the emirate of Sharjah, said: “Today I joined farmers from across the Emirates for the flag-raising ceremony at ICBA. We share a commitment to caring for our land and growing more food locally. Marking Flag Day while taking part in the national initiative to adopt climate-resilient crops is especially meaningful to me. We are here to learn from ICBA’s experts and from one another, and to take that knowledge back to
our farms. Growing food locally and looking after the land for future generations are among the most important things a farmer can do for the country.”
Afaf Ibrahim Salem Al Marri, a farmer from Sharjah, said: “The initiative gives us more choice in what we grow and the guidance we need to manage these crops under the conditions on our own farms. By working with ICBA and agricultural extension service professionals, we hope to make better use of our land and water and grow a wider range of crops locally. That is how we can contribute more to the UAE’s food security.”
From its headquarters in the UAE, ICBA works with partners to put agricultural research into practice in arid and saline environments. This work helps farmers broaden their choice of crops, use land and water more efficiently, and sustain their production and livelihoods.
The flag-raising ceremony coincided with the First Forum for Farmers and Agricultural Extension Professionals at ICBA. The forum is part of the National Agricultural Initiative for the Adoption of Climate-Resilient Crops in the United Arab Emirates, launched by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in partnership with ICBA.