476 entries in the main categories of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence
Abu Dhabi, January 11, 2017 – The Supreme Committee of the Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence announced the registration of 476 entries in the main categories for the fourth session of the award, following the closing of registration in mid-December.
This broad participation reflects the growing demand and interest from farmers, livestock breeders and commercial farms, reflecting the advanced position established by the award as one of the most prominent national initiatives supporting the agricultural sector and food security in the UAE, and increasing awareness of the importance of excellence and innovation in agricultural practices. The award has become a platform that encourages raising the efficiency of plant and animal production and adopting the best international standards in this field. It also plays a pivotal role in enhancing the spirit of positive competition among workers in the agricultural sector.
The award’s Supreme Committee has now begun the desk evaluation phase, which includes reviewing the participants’ files and ensuring that they meet the approved standards and conditions, in preparation for moving to the field evaluation phase, which will begin in mid-January, and includes field visits to the candidates in the various categories to verify the practices applied on the ground.
The registered entries are divided into the four main categories of the award, which include the award for best farm and best distinguished estate, the award for agricultural techniques, the award for commercial farms, and the award for distinguished farmer and breeder, which reflects the comprehensiveness of the award and its keenness to support innovation and sustainability and enhance the efficiency of plant and animal production.
His Excellency Moza Suhail Al Muhairi, Deputy Director General of the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority for Regulatory and Administrative Affairs, and Chairman of the Award’s Supreme Committee, confirmed that the number of participants in this session reflects a growing awareness of the importance of agricultural excellence, and a real desire among those working in the sector to develop their practices and raise the level of performance according to sustainable and global standards.
She said that the award is no longer just a competitive platform, but has become an integrated path for development and excellence and a national tool to bring about a qualitative transformation in the agricultural sector. It contributes to directing farmers and breeders towards adopting innovative solutions, which will reflect positively on local production and its ability to support the food security system.
She explained that the desk and field evaluation stages represent an essential pillar in ensuring the integrity and credibility of the award, stressing the Supreme Committee’s keenness to apply the highest standards of transparency and accuracy in the evaluation processes, ensuring the selection of the most distinguished and influential models in developing the agricultural sector.
She stressed that the award is a platform for excellence and leadership and not just a race to win. It gives all participants a unique cognitive and professional value and enhances their ability to develop and compete, pointing out that investing in agricultural excellence is a direct investment in sustainable food security.
It is worth noting that the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Award for Agricultural Excellence witnessed wide participation during its previous three sessions. The number of participants in its main categories reached 1,127 from various emirates of the country, while the number of winners reached 162, and the total value of the financial prizes offered in those tournaments exceeded 26.7 million dirhams.
The total value of the prizes in the fourth session is 10 million dirhams, distributed into 4 main categories and 13 sub-categories, in addition to the accompanying festivals and competitions.
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