Zanzibar’s First Lady visits Sharjah’s Mleiha Wheat Farm
- Last updated: January 17, 2026 | 11:57 ..
Mariam Mwinyi, the First Lady of Zanzibar, visited the Mleiha wheat farm to learn about the Emirate of Sharjah’s experience in organic wheat cultivation and to explore sustainable production methods and efforts to enhance food security.
The visit included a detailed tour of the farm’s facilities and development programmes aimed at improving production.
The First Lady was briefed on the farm’s operational system, starting with the control room that monitors operational processes and production indicators, moving on to the laboratory responsible for tests and measurements related to production quality, and concluding with the experimental farm used to test and evaluate farming methods and improve outputs according to best practices.
The visit included learning about the farming methods used on the farm, with a focus on the importance of organic farming and its role in supporting sustainability and resource conservation. The delegation also reviewed the procedures that contribute to increasing production efficiency and achieving long-term food security goals.
His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, recently inaugurated the Mleiha Dairy Factory, which spans 20,000 square metres and has a production capacity of approximately 600 tonnes.
During the inauguration, the Ruler of Sharjah received a Guinness World Record certificate recognising Mleiha Dairy Farm as the world’s largest A2A2 cattle farm, located in the Mleiha region of Sharjah.
Upon arrival, the Ruler of Sharjah was welcomed by Sheikh Abdullah Bin Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah; Dr Sheikh Salem Bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Office; and Sheikh Engineer Mohammed bin Abdullah Bin Majid Al Qasimi, Director of the Department of Municipal Affairs.
Also present were Abdulrahman Bin Mohammed Al Owais, Minister of Federal National Council Affairs; Dr Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism; Ohood Bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future; along with senior officials, heads of government entities, and representatives of partner organisations.
The Ruler of Sharjah delivered a speech expressing his happiness at the completion of the Mleiha Dairy Farm and Factory project, highlighting its high quality and strict health standards. He noted that the project had been his dream for 65 years, a vision nurtured through his dedication to serving the community.
Reflecting on three generations, the Ruler of Sharjah stated that the dream has now been realised with the fourth generation, thanks to the contribution of educated and capable young people of Sharjah who uphold strong values and responsibility.
He reviewed the emirate’s ongoing food security projects, noting rapid progress and the establishment of diverse farms and processing factories. He also highlighted specialised university programmes at the University of Al Dhaid, including the Colleges of Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and Desert Sciences, aimed at preparing qualified professionals for food security initiatives.
The Ruler of Sharjah emphasised returning to the origins in development, particularly focusing on the desert as a source of essential food production, including poultry, cattle, goats, and crops based on original seeds. He cited human interference with plant and animal breeds and chemical processes, noting their often harmful effects compared to natural methods prescribed in the Holy Quran.
At Mleiha Farm, the cows belong to the rare A2A2 breed, producing milk with 20 health benefits. The animals are raised and fed naturally to ensure the purity and quality of their products.
Other initiatives highlighted by the Ruler of Sharjah include olive tree cultivation on Jebel Deem, with 3,800 trees planted, 1,200 in progress, and plans to add 1,500 annually, supporting high-quality olive oil production. The Flybirds poultry project was also showcased, emphasising free-range birds fed exclusively natural feed and medication, taking three months to reach production.
WAM