Sharjah Ruler explores wheat farm innovations in Mleiha

January 15, 2024 / 3:58 PM

Sharjah24: This morning, His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, visited the wheat farm in the Mleiha region to inspect the agricultural activities. Upon arrival, he observed the farming processes and the irrigation of wheat crops using state-of-the-art equipment designed for water conservation. These advanced technologies not only assist in monitoring performance but also in managing soil and plant needs, ensuring a balance between them. Ground sensors and a weather station are utilised to measure moisture, contributing to the optimal yield of wheat crops.

During the visit, His Highness was informed about the additional stages incorporated to complete all farm phases by integrating the second and third stages. This involved the addition of 25 lines, bringing the total agricultural lines on the farm to 37, covering an expansive area of 1900 hectares.

Furthermore, the Ruler of Sharjah familiarised himself with various wheat varieties, receiving an explanation of their growth stages and the outcomes of experiments and studies conducted to enhance agricultural practices and ensure the production of healthy, nutrition-rich crops.

As the wheat farm enters its second year, it signifies a new phase in the food security project directed by His Highness, aiming to provide premium organic wheat crops free from pesticides and harmful substances, boasting the highest protein content globally and covering an extensive area of 1900 hectares.

In the integration of the second and third stages, the farm utilises 300 tons of high-purity seeds sourced from diverse locations. Before planting, 24,000 tons of organic fertilisers are applied, and varied organic fertilisers are used post-planting, tailored to the growth stage of the wheat crop.

The farm features an irrigation pond with a capacity of 48,000 cubic meters, drawing and pumping water for irrigation through a pump room housing 9 pumps capable of pumping 430 cubic meters of water per hour.

During the visit, His Highness, the Ruler of Sharjah, was accompanied by His Excellency Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, and Chairman of the Board of Sharjah Islamic Bank, Dr. Khalifa Al Tunaiji, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Livestock , Sultan Ali Al Ketbi, the head of the municipal council for the Mleiha area, and Mohammed Abdullah, the CEO of Sharjah Islamic Bank.