Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan visits local model farms in Al Bahiya on Saturday. WAM

Sheikh Mohamed said he was delighted to see such ambitious projects by the country's youth, using the latest technologies to provide high-quality agricultural products and contributing to the drive to achieve sustainable food security in the UAE.

He was briefed by Hamed Al Hamed, owner of "Gracia Farm" and Dr Khalid Al Shamsi and Ahmed Khalfan Al Shamsi, who own organic farms, on the products grown there, irrigation methods, marketing as well as the challenges facing the local farming sector.

Sheikh Mohamed with Hamed Al Hamed during his visit to model farms in Al Bahiya. WAM

Sheikh Mohamed stressed the importance of employing advanced technology in the country's agricultural sector, taking into consideration the highest standards for sustainability, quality and competitiveness. He also called for developing innovative solutions to produce and manage food crops and to overcome challenges facing the sector.

"Supporting the agriculture sector is consistent with the UAE's strategy for sustainability, environmental protection and preserving natural resources," he added.

Mariam Mohamed Saeed Hareb Al Mehairi visits local model farms in Al Bahiya. WAM

Agriculture, Sheikh Mohamed continued, is a very vital sector and comes at the heart of the national security. It is the key pillar in the country’s strategy to ensure food security and build a sustainable economy. These farms contribute to maintaining self-sufficiency and minimising dependence on external products.

"The late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan attached great importance to agriculture. He supported it and did not listen to those who thought agriculture had no future in the UAE. He was a visionary and always believed that agriculture is the backbone of any society. President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has continued that approach and is providing full support and incentives to the farmers to develop their agricultural projects."

He wished the young farmers success in their projects and expressed the leadership's keenness to support the farmers and to encourage national products.

He urged the farmers across the UAE to invest in these farms and to use innovative ways to turn them into a source of support to the country's agriculture sector.

The farm owners expressed their pleasure over Sheikh Mohamed's visit and praised the leadership's unlimited support to the youth working in the agriculture sector.