Sheikh Sultan inspects different varieties of Wheat in Sharjah.

Jihan Shuaib, Staff Reporter

His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has named the wheat project in Mleiha as ‘Sabe’a Sanabel’ (Seven Wheat Spikes).

“To promote it, the wheat project in Mleiha needs a logo and a name. I named it as ‘Sabe’a sanabel’ and used a circle containing seven wheat spikes as its logo,” Sheikh Sultan said through the Direct Line programme.

“As for the new bird market, the ceiling of the market dome will be flat and will have boxes for pigeons to come to from the outside, while the interior will have many trees and the second floor contains shops for selling birds,” Sheikh Sultan added.

“The owners of these shops are required to open one box for the birds to go from and return to until they get used to the place. After a while, these birds will land on the visitors themselves and will no longer be afraid of people,” he said.

“The best way to relax is to look at trees. As many as 10 million trees per year, God willing, will come out of El Badi Nursery,” he added.

The Sharjah Ruler explained that food security projects include supporting the agricultural, livestock, and fisheries sectors, developing farms and supporting farmers and fishermen, and setting regulations and controls that limit misuse in food production.

He called on farmers to cooperate with the Sharjah government in developing and maintaining their farms and establishing specialised farms, stressing that he will provide the necessary support for electricity and water services at reduced prices, in addition to providing technical and agricultural consultations to ensure the production of crops that are compatible with health standards and are free of harmful chemicals.

Sheikh Sultan pointed out that the quantities of wheat imports in the country amount to 1.7 million metric tonnes, and the amount of the emirate of Sharjah is 330 thousand metric tonnes, indicating that the wheat farm in Mleiha will contribute, after completing its stages and developing its crops, to reduce the percentage of wheat imports from abroad, pointing out that he referred to the value of agricultural land in terms of its location and suitable clay material.

The Sharjah Ruler discussed the main goals and concerns that stem from the various development projects in Sharjah, which achieves stability to the citizens and residents ensuring a decent life for them.

He pressed the button to launch the dissemination and irrigation operations, as the irrigation process relies on artificial intelligence by transmitting weather and soil status to the main centre for agricultural operations to regulate the rate of water consumption.

Sheikh Sultan was briefed about the project in terms of technical specifications and mechanisms used in irrigation and agriculture, in addition to the types of wheat seeds that will be planted, stressing that all the essential necessities for the success of these agricultural projects will be provided.

The project will be completed in three phases, the first phase will be on an area of 400 hectares, the second phase will be on an area of 880 hectares in 2024, and the third phase will reach its completion on an area of 1400 hectares in 2025.

The farm’s infrastructure has been completed, which includes irrigation lines equivalent to 13 linear metres and electrical works equal to 10,000 linear metres.

His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has approved the ‘Sirat Khorfakkan’ island (Shark Island of Khorfakkan) as an archaeological reserve.

This was announced by Mohammed Khalaf through the Direct Line programme broadcast live on Sharjah Radio and TV, adding that Sheikh Sultan would publish a new book next week that talks about the Portuguese invasion of Khor Fakkan.

Sheikh Sultan also responded directly to the request of a girl called Aisha Al Durri, who called the programme, and instructed the people concerned for the girl to be enrolled in Al Sidra School in Kalba.

Meanwhile, it is scheduled for the owners of stores in Al Seyouh Mall to receive the keys of their respective stores at the end of this month to enable them to carry out the necessary completion works, Khalaf added, noting that 94 per cent of the mall had already been completed.

Khalaf revealed that the Sharjah Co-operative Society would open its new branch in Al Seyouh within 80 to 85 days.