Key Takeaways
- ADAFSA honoured 34 winners at the 4th cycle of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award, held at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi on April 16, 2026.
- The fourth cycle attracted 476 submissions for the main award and 3,395 entries across accompanying competitions.
- Winners were recognized across 13 categories including open-field farming, greenhouse production, aquaculture, beekeeping, youth projects, and agricultural technology.
- 13 government and private entities were also honored for their contributions to supporting the award's objectives.
- The award is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Chairman of ADAFSA's Board of Directors.
ADAFSA Celebrates Agricultural Excellence at Fourth Award Ceremony
The Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) held the fourth cycle of the Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Agricultural Excellence Award at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, honoring 34 winners for their contributions to the development of the UAE's agricultural sector and food security system. The ceremony was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of ADAFSA's Board of Directors.
The event was attended by senior officials including Minister of Climate Change and Environment Her Excellency Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, ADAFSA Managing Director His Excellency Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, and Acting Director-General His Excellency Dr Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri, alongside public figures and media representatives.
Record Participation Reflects Growing Sector Interest
Dr Tariq Ahmed Al Ameri noted that the fourth cycle drew 476 submissions for the main award and 3,395 entries in the accompanying competitions, with evaluations based on criteria focused on resource efficiency, production quality, and environmental commitment. He emphasized that geopolitical challenges and global supply chain disruptions have reinforced the importance of strengthening national agricultural production, with the award's winners providing inspiring models for sustainable farming.
ADAFSA Winners Recognized Across 13 Categories
Award recipients spanned a wide range of agricultural disciplines. Rashid Salim Al Ketbi took first place in the Best Open-Field Farm category, while Majid Mehair Al Ketbi won Best Greenhouse Farm. Hassan Jumaa Al Zaabi claimed first place for Best Fruit Farm, and Ahmed Sultan Al Kaabi won the Productive Farms category. Dalma Ostrich Farm won among Small Producers, Fadel Nasser Al Saadi won in Beekeeping, and Abdulrahman Rashid Al Shamsi took first place for Best Aquaculture Farm.
In other categories, Hamad Mohammed Al Karbi won Youth Projects, Hamad Musbah Al Teneiji won Agricultural Technologies, Emirates Hydroponics Farm won Commercial Farms for Plant Production, and Omega Farms won Commercial Farms for Animal Production. Khadija Darwish Al Qubaisi and Noura Khalifa Al Jaberi were recognized as Distinguished Female Farmer and Distinguished Female Breeder respectively.
Women and Youth Highlighted as Drivers of Agricultural Innovation
ADAFSA Deputy Director-General Mouza Suhail Al Muhairi praised the increasing presence of Emirati women across agricultural fields, noting their strong participation in the award as a reflection of their capacity to innovate and lead productive projects. She also highlighted the role of Emirati youth in introducing modern technologies and advancing sustainable farming practices, describing them as a driving force in the sector's development.
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