Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has commended the "Hasad" agricultural project, launched by Dubai Police, as a pioneering initiative supporting national food security while integrating modern agriculture into rehabilitation programs.
Spanning 9,600 square metres, the project is implemented by the General Department of Correctional and Penal Institutions and aims to train 200 male and female inmates annually in advanced agricultural practices. To date, 371 inmates have already been trained in the pilot phases.
With a total investment of AED 3 million, funded through charitable contributions, Hasad is expected to produce over 56 tonnes of crops annually, generating approximately AED 1 million in revenue. The initiative aligns with the "Plant the Emirates" program, spearheaded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, reinforcing the UAE’s commitment to food security and sustainability.
Dr. Amna Al Dahak highlighted the project's role in promoting modern agricultural solutions within correctional institutions, ensuring inmates acquire valuable skills for reintegration into society.
Major General Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police for Criminal Investigation Affairs, emphasized that equipping inmates with agricultural expertise enhances their economic prospects post-release, fostering self-sufficiency and sustainability.
The initiative incorporates climate-smart agricultural technologies to minimize water consumption and carbon emissions, aligning with the UAE’s National Food Security Strategy 2051. The farm includes greenhouses and open-field farming areas, focusing on key crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers, with 6,508 seedlings already planted.
Major General Marwan Abdul Karim Jalfar, Director of the General Department of Correctional and Penal Institutions, described Hasad as a blueprint for innovative agricultural training, merging rehabilitation, sustainability, and food security into a single transformative project.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
