Abu Dhabi Expands Farm Activities with 145 Opportunities

His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Presidential Court, has taken another step to strengthen Abu Dhabi’s farming and food sector. In his role as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), he issued Decision No. (5) of 2025.

This new decision changes some parts of Decision No. (3) of 2023, which had already allowed farmers to use their farms for economic activities. The main goal is to give farmers more options to use their land in smart and productive ways while protecting its original purpose.

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With this new update, farmers are now allowed to practise 145 different economic activities on their farms. The decision adds 74 new activities to the list, which already had 71 approved activities earlier.

Key Rules for Farm Activities

The decision explains that farmers can use their farms for extra economic activities, but there are clear rules to follow:

1. Built-up area limit: The total built-up area on a farm that is used for these activities must not be more than the size set by the competent authority in the emirate. This ensures that farms remain primarily agricultural lands and not fully commercial spaces.

2. Purpose of the farm: All activities must match the main purpose of the farm. For example, if it is an agricultural farm, then activities should support or connect with farming, food, or nature.

By keeping these conditions, the government makes sure that while farmers can benefit financially, the farms still keep their original identity and purpose.

New Activities Added to the List

The newly added 74 activities are grouped into six main categories:

• 41 activities for plant production – These include advanced methods of growing crops, greenhouse farming, organic farming, and other plant-related projects.

• 9 activities supporting plant production – Services that help farming, such as supplying seeds, tools, irrigation systems, and plant care.

• 8 activities related to food support services – These allow farms to run small food-related businesses like food preparation, packaging, or selling farm products.

• 12 new industrial support activities – These include light industrial activities linked to agriculture, such as processing plants or workshops to support farm production.

• 2 new general support services – Services that provide basic assistance for farm activities.

• 2 new recreational activities – These encourage farms to open for visitors, tourism, and family-friendly activities like holiday homes, farm tours, and cultural experiences.

This variety shows that farms are no longer just about traditional farming. They are turning into multi-purpose centres where farming, business, learning, and leisure come together.

Committee for Farm Economic Activities

His Excellency Dr. Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, Acting Director-General of ADAFSA, explained that this decision is the result of continuous work by the Committee for Economic Activities on Farms.

This committee was created by the Abu Dhabi Executive Office. It brings together experts from several departments:

• Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED)

• Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT)

• Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)

The main task of this committee is to make farms more useful and productive. By adding new activities, they want farms to become not only centres for food but also places that support tourism, recreation, culture, and education.

A Vision of Productive and Attractive Farms

According to Dr. Al Ameri, this step is part of a larger vision to transform Abu Dhabi’s farms into:

• Successful investments – where farmers can earn money through different activities.

• Educational centres – where children and students can learn about farming, animals, and food production.

• Recreational spaces – where families can spend time, enjoy nature, and experience agri-tourism.

• Heritage experiences – where traditional farming methods and Emirati culture are showcased for visitors and tourists.

This broad plan shows that farms are no longer just about growing crops—they are becoming important parts of the economy and society.

Connection to Food Security

The new decision also supports the UAE’s food security goals. By allowing more activities on farms, local food production will increase. This means that Abu Dhabi will depend less on imported food and can grow more of its own fresh produce.

It also encourages farmers to raise animals, grow different crops, and use modern farming methods. This variety strengthens the food supply chain and ensures that the community has access to healthy and safe food.

Examples of Success from Earlier Decision

This new decision builds on the success of Decision No. (3) of 2023. That earlier decision had already helped 482 farms in Abu Dhabi. Here’s how:

• 333 farms got new licences to try out different economic activities.

• 120 farms made changes to their old licences to include new activities.

• 29 farms received special permits to run holiday homes on their farms.

These numbers show that the earlier decision was very successful. Many farms started using their land in new ways, combining agriculture with tourism and other activities. This experience gave the government confidence to expand the list to 145 activities.

Support from the Government

The government is also working to make things easier for farm owners. According to Dr. Al Ameri, efforts are being made to simplify licensing, classification, and inspection procedures.

This means farmers won’t face too much paperwork or delays. Everything will be smoother and faster so that farmers can focus on growing their businesses instead of worrying about long approvals.

The government departments involved are making sure that all activities follow the laws of the emirate, but in a way that supports farmers instead of creating obstacles.

A Step Towards Sustainable Development

This decision is not just about farming. It is also about sustainable development and supporting Abu Dhabi’s long-term vision. By opening farms for more activities, the emirate is:

• Encouraging innovation in agriculture.

• Boosting the local economy by giving farmers more ways to earn money.

• Creating new tourism opportunities by welcoming visitors to farms.

• Protecting heritage and culture by linking farming to traditional Emirati life.

• Strengthening food security through more local production.

All of these together show how farms can play a big role in Abu Dhabi’s future growth.

The decision by His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan to expand farm activities to 145 approved economic options is a major step for Abu Dhabi’s agriculture sector. It shows strong leadership support for farmers and reflects the emirate’s aim to create a modern, innovative, and sustainable farming system.

By turning farms into places of production, learning, leisure, and culture, Abu Dhabi is building a brighter future where agriculture not only feeds people but also strengthens the economy, supports tourism, and connects communities with their roots.

This is a decision that will benefit farm owners, families, tourists, and the entire food system of Abu Dhabi for years to come.