Sharjah 24: Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, emphasised the growing attention the UAE's leadership is giving to food security and strategic reserves, particularly focusing on essential commodities like wheat. This involves expanding local cultivation, with the wheat farm in Mleiha, Sharjah, serving as a notable success story in sustainable food efforts and agricultural advancement.

During a visit to the Mleiha wheat farm, Dr. Al Zeyoudi was welcomed by Dr. Engineer Khalifa Musabah Al Tunaiji, Head of Sharjah Department of Agriculture and Livestock, along with other officials.

The visitor was briefed on the cutting-edge technologies and systems implemented at the Mleiha wheat farm, including biotechnology labs and experimental farms dedicated to enhancing wheat strains, aiming for the development of the "Sharjah 1" variety.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi observed the wheat harvest at the farm and praised Sharjah's ongoing endeavours, aligning with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to bolster the emirate's agricultural sector, a pivotal component of its strategy for sustainable food security and self-sufficiency.

Dr. Al Zeyoudi highlighted the UAE's increasing focus on food security and strategic reserves, particularly wheat, through both expanding local production and securing import needs via global trade and investment partnerships.

He noted that wheat imports totaled 1.4 million metric tons in 2023 and emphasised that expanding local cultivation, especially at the Mleiha wheat farm, would significantly reduce reliance on imports. The wheat produced there is distinguished by its organic nature, high protein content, non-GMO status, and absence of chemical additives.

Dr. Al Tunaiji commended Dr. Al Zeyoudi's interest in Sharjah's agricultural sector, which reflects Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammed Al Qasimi's directives and contributes to the UAE's pursuit of sustainable agricultural development, crucial for ensuring food security and self-sufficiency.