Agricultural Extension App

An application that contains a lot of technical extension information in various agricultural, plant and animal fields, according to the latest scientific references and global experiences. The application contains more than 90 agricultural topics, 30 topics in animal wealth, in addition to more than 2000 images of plant diseases. 57 experts from ADAFSA have been provided to manage and provide remote extension. The number of application users has exceeded 3,523 users and it is available on Apple and Google Play stores.

The application provides its users with several services, the most important of which are:

1. Remote consultation: This is a feature that ena​bles fa​rmers to obtain advice and guidance in various agricultural fields from ADAFSA's specialists and technicians to provide them with guidance and propose innovative solutions to challenges, through direct conversations and sharing pictures (this feature is available to farmers in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi).
2. Learning about pests and diseases: This is a feature that enables farmers to automatically identify plant pests and diseases. Once identified, specialists can offer guidance on how to combat them.
3. A platform for delivering virtual extension lectures to farmers and livestock breeders. In addition to the dates of all events organized by ADAFSA.
4. Alerts for all agricultural activities during the season and the expected dates for the spread of diseases and pests.​
   

​​​What are Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)?

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1.       Organic Farming:

Organic Farming

An agricultural system that encourages food production within an environmental, social, and economic framework, avoiding the use of manufactured chemical inputs and relying on crop rotation and organic fertilizers to improve soil properties. Using biological, physical, and mechanical pest control methods to reduce the damage of agricultural pests, all of this is done through the application of a series of international systems and standards to ensure the safety of the organic product.

Importance of Organic Farming

• Reliance on available farm resources, recycling them, and reducing agricultural inputs.
• Improving and maintaining soil fertility and increasing biodiversity.
• Reducing water pollution.
• Controlling pests and diseases through natural methods without harming the environment.
• Producing high-quality food in safe ways free from chemical residues.

2.       Organic Products:

Characteristics of Organic Products:

• Organic products are free from pesticide and chemical fertilizer residues.
• Organic food is characterized by low nitrate levels, which increases the storage life of fruits and thus reduces their loss.
• Organic products are distinguished by their distinctive flavor and taste due to their content of phenolic compounds, antioxidants, and low nitrate levels.
• Pests are controlled with safe natural materials.
• Reliance on natural organic fertilizers to increase soil fertility.
• Use of seeds free from any chemical treatments and non-genetically modified.
• Continuous supervision by the competent authorities on inputs and outputs and documentation of all agricultural practices.
• Locally certified organic product certificates are issued.
• The cost of production is higher and the price of organic products is also higher.
• It cares about environmental conservation and human health.

3.       Transition to Organic Agriculture:

Transitional Phase for Organic Production:

This is the phase of transition from conventional agriculture to an organic farming system, and the formation of a farming system free from chemical residues, improving soil properties, and enabling farmers to adapt to organic farming standards. This phase is characterized by:

• Establishing farm records to document all farm data from production inputs and products to laboratory tests for soil and water.
• Using agricultural practices which involves applying permitted organic control methods, using organic fertilization programs, and knowing the permitted types.  
  
   

Transitional Phase Duration:

The transitional phase starts from the date of acceptance of the application for an organic product certificate, and the time period varies depending on the crop and is as follows:

• Annual crops: The transition period for annual crops that lasts 12 months is at least two years from the start of planting, and products can be marketed under the name of products under transition during the following year.
• Perennial crops: The transition period is three years and depends on the farmer's commitment, and products can be marketed under the name of products under transition in the second and third years.
• Virgin farms: They do not need a transition period based on soil analysis and ensuring that it is free from chemical residues and heavy elements.

4.       Soil Management in Organic Agriculture:

Soil management includes several agricultural operations aimed at increasing soil fertility using organic fertilizers and increasing the biological content of the soil with microorganisms, thus preserving its biological properties, sustainable productivity, and ecological balance. Microorganisms play an important role in breaking down organic matter in the soil and making it ready for absorption by plants.

Soil Management Methods in Organic Farms:

Soil Sample Analysis:

• Representative soil samples from the area to be cultivated should be analyzed in water and soil laboratories to determine the soil properties, organic matter content, available nutrients, salinity, pH, and heavy elements.
• Based on the soil analysis results, suitable crop varieties are selected and organic soil improvers are used to enhance soil fertility.
• Salinity affects organic farming and its success. The higher the salinity exceeds 12 mS/cm, the less suitable the soil is for cultivation.
• Soil pH affects organic farming as high or low pH affects nutrient uptake by plants.

Soil Covers:

Using chopped plant residues on the farm such as palm tree residues, crop residues, and straw to cover the soil, which helps to:

• Maintain moisture.
• Reduce weed growth.
• Increase the activity of microorganisms.
• Improve soil properties and fertility.

Crop Rotation:

Repeating the cultivation of the same crop in the same place on the farm leads to the colonization of pathogens and insect pests on the farm, which works to repeat crop infestation with pests and reduce productivity levels. Applying crop rotation helps to:

• Improve soil properties and build fertility.
• Reduce the damage caused by resident agricultural pests in the planting site due to the absence of a suitable host plant for the pest.
• Encourage biodiversity and the continued presence of natural enemies of agricultural pests.
• The crop rotation should include crop rotation with a rest period (fallow period where crops are not planted) and planting legumes as green manure to nourish the soil.

Companion Planting:

Companion planting is considered one of the means of organic farming, as these crops contribute to reducing pest infestation of the main crop. Some crops also contribute to improving soil properties by increasing its natural nitrogen content, which improves productivity.

5.       Composting:

Fertilization in organic farming works to increase and improve the natural fertility of the soil in the long term by adding organic matter (compost). This process aims to improve the physical properties of the soil and its nutrient content, support the activity of beneficial microorganisms, and reduce pathogens and insect pests in the soil.

Importance of Organic Matter for Agricultural Land:

• Adding the necessary nutrients for plant growth: It helps during their gradual decomposition to make nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other nutrients available to plants in an easily accessible form.
• Improving the physical properties of the soil: For example, in sandy soils, it increases their cohesion and ability to retain water and reduces the loss of nutrients.
• Increasing the soil content of beneficial microorganisms: Such as earthworms and some types of beneficial microorganisms from bacteria and fungi.
• Improving plant health and growth: By providing nutrients and activating beneficial microorganisms, which in turn positively affects the plant's resistance to agricultural pests.

Fertilizers Used in Organic Farming:

Composted Manure (Compost):

It is an organic material that includes plant or animal residues that have been fermented or biologically decomposed by bacteria and some other microorganisms over a period of time under appropriate ventilation, humidity, and temperature conditions. Many organic materials can be used as raw materials, such as leaves, straw, vegetable and fruit residues, and some plant and animal production residues, among others.

Preparing Composted Manure (Compost):

1.          It is done at the end of the growing season to take advantage of the high temperatures, especially in the months of June, July, and August.

2.          A suitable place is prepared to mix the ingredients, such as using a container, a hole, or shaping it into a heap.

3.          Mix the materials involved in the compost production process, including:

• Plant and animal residues in a ratio of (2 plant: 1 animal), for example: residues of dry and green field crops, legumes, and animal and poultry residues. The first layer is made of chopped dry agricultural residues of a relatively large size to ensure air entry to the base of the heap, and then the layers alternate between green (soft) and light-colored (dry) residues, animal manure, and some poultry residues.
• Agricultural soil at a rate of 5% of the raw materials, where the bonds are formed between the soil and the organic component.
• Mature compost at a rate of 5-10% as it contains the most important microorganisms necessary for the fermentation process in addition to helping to improve aeration.

4.          Adjust the relative humidity of the ingredients during the fermentation process to 60% using a relative humidity meter. Periodically monitor the temperature using a thermometer.

5.          Control the size of the heap so that the base is 2-2.5 meters wide and 1.5-2 meters high. The length of the heap is not specified according to the available space on the farm.

6.          Turn the heap once a week or according to the temperature and internal humidity of the heap so that the temperature does not exceed 70 degrees Celsius and the humidity does not exceed 60%.

7.          Ensure that the decomposition process continues by observing the rise in the temperature of the mixture, as a rise in temperature indicates that decomposition is taking place.

8.          The fermentation process continues for 2-4 months and depends on the weather conditions until the organic manure reaches the humus stage, which is characterized by a decrease in temperature to 20 degrees Celsius and the mixture becomes odorless.

9.          Store the organic manure until use in bags away from sunlight and humidity to preserve the nutrients and humic materials in it.

Characteristics of Good Organic Fertilizer:

• Odorless, dark brown in color, and smooth in texture.
• The ideal carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) is 25:1, and the ratio can be confirmed by analyzing a representative sample.
• A pH of 5.5-6 is best for nutrient uptake by plants.
• Rich in beneficial microorganisms.
• The nutrients in organic manure are readily absorbed by plants.
• Free from pathogens, pests, weeds, and nematodes.

Green Manures:

• Also known as cover crops, they are plants that are grown and turned into the soil while they are still green in order to improve soil properties and increase their organic matter and nutrient content, increase the soil's water retention capacity, and prevent weed growth.
• Legumes are one of the most important green manures, as they work to increase soil fertility by fixing nitrogen in the soil through beneficial bacteria, which is an essential component of organic farming.
• They are planted alongside fruit trees and vegetables, and it is preferable to cut legumes at the beginning of flowering, leaving them in the field for two weeks and then turning them under and plowing them into the soil to a depth of 10 centimeters.

Minerals of Natural Origin:

• These fertilizers are a natural source of the nutrients necessary for plant growth, especially the major elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and trace elements such as iron, zinc, copper, and others.
• There is a wide range of organically derived fertilizers that are approved by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in the country.

Earthworm Manure:

It is an organic, nutritious manure rich in nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and it contains beneficial microorganisms for the soil such as worms, nitrogen-fixing bacteria, fungi, and plant growth hormones. This manure is produced by the decomposition of organic matter and its conversion into manure by earthworms. When producing earthworm manure, it is important to pay attention to a number of factors such as ventilation, relative humidity of around 60%, and temperature between 28-35 degrees Celsius.

Adding Ground Organic Biochar:

Biochar is used as a soil improver in organic farming, and it can be produced from primary organic sources such as wood and plant residues. The benefits of using biochar include:

• Improving soil fertility by increasing the soil's ability to store nutrients and reduce their leaching.
• Increasing the organic matter content of the soil.
• Storing carbon in the soil for hundreds of years.
• Increasing the soil's ability to store water and reduce water stress on plants.

6.       Irrigation Water Management:

Water is the most important element in agricultural production, and water management in organic farming is a cornerstone.  Water is managed in organic farming through:

• Using drip irrigation systems to rationalize water consumption and raise the efficiency of the irrigation process in order to conserve water resources.
• Choosing the appropriate time for irrigation, which is in the early morning or evening hours to avoid irrigation when temperatures are high, thus reducing losses.
• Irrigating according to the plant's water needs, as excessive irrigation leads to the leaching of nutrients from the root zone, which leads to their loss, and it also contributes to the appearance of fungal diseases in crops.
• Adding organic matter to the soil to improve its physical properties and increase its ability to retain water and reduce nutrient loss.
• Covering the soil surface with mulch such as straw or shredded plant residues on the farm to conserve moisture and reduce evaporation from the topsoil.
• Not depleting water resources to ensure their renewal for future seasons, leading to achieving agricultural sustainability.
• Conducting periodic tests to determine the salinity and pH of the water.
• Ensuring that the water is free of microbial contaminants such as E. coli bacteria.
• Ensuring that groundwater is not contaminated by wastewater within the farm.

7.       Prevention of Agricultural Pests in Organic Farming:

Increasing the economic return for the farmer requires controlling agricultural pests that limit crop productivity. The integrated pest management strategy in organic farming aims to eliminate the use of chemical pesticides that affect natural enemies and plant growth.

Preventive Measures:

• Choose resistant and adapted varieties to local climatic conditions.
• Choose seeds or seedlings that are free of pests and diseases and are not chemically treated or genetically modified.
• Apply a crop rotation system that helps to break the life cycle of agricultural pests, as most pests return to growth if the same crop is grown in each crop cycle.
• Balanced management of fertilizers and nutrients.
• Protect natural enemies of pests by planting companion and intercropping crops, green fences, and flowering plants that attract beneficial insects such as fennel, coriander, sunflowers, chamomile, and carnation flowers.
• Plant companion crops to help control insects in organic farming systems, such as planting corn as a companion crop to okra, watermelon, and cantaloupe.
• Plant pest-repellent plants such as parsley, coriander, and basil.
• Get rid of diseased plants.

Nursery Management:

Good nursery management allows for the production of healthy and well-growing seedlings that are able to withstand pests before being transplanted to the permanent field. To achieve this, the following guidelines should be followed:

• The nursery site should be suitable and away from agricultural fields to avoid the spread of pests and diseases to it.
• Use sterilized and pest-free agricultural soil to grow seedlings.
• Use clean and sterilized seed trays to avoid soil-borne diseases, especially those originating from the field.
• Plant certified seeds that are free of diseases.
• Plant varieties that are tolerant or resistant to pests and diseases.
• Avoid overwatering to reduce the growth of seedling damping-off diseases.
• Plant seedlings in a nursery covered with a net to prevent insects, especially those that transmit viral diseases, from entering.
• Follow an appropriate fertilization program.
• Inspect and monitor seedlings regularly for pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies.
• Remove weak and unhealthy seedlings and place them in sealed plastic bags and dispose of them properly.

Solar Disinfection:

• Solar disinfection is a good non-chemical method for reducing soil pests and diseases.
• It is a process that utilizes sunlight and its heat to control soil pests and diseases, weed seeds, and is usually done in the summer months where it achieves the best results and lasts for two months.
• Some of the most important pests that can be eliminated by solar disinfection are Fusarium, Pythium, Verticillium, Sclerotinia, and various stages of insects within the soil and weed seeds.
• It is one of the most effective operations to reduce nematodes found in the soil at depths of 25-30 cm.
• The solar disinfection process is carried out by covering the soil surface with black plastic (polyethylene).
• Solar disinfection operations are carried out in the United Arab Emirates during the months of June, July, and August, and the soil should be moist and well-tilled before placing the plastic cover on it.

Treatment Procedures:

Biological Control:

This involves the use of beneficial insects (natural enemies) and beneficial microorganisms to control pests and diseases and maintain a suitable environment for the reproduction of these organisms in order to reduce and limit the growth of diseases and the number of pests, and reduce their density to a level below the economic injury level, with the preparation of an appropriate agricultural system for the development of beneficial organisms such as spreading ladybugs (seven-spotted ladybugs) (which consume about 400 insects per day), as well as green lacewings, parasitoid wasps, predatory bugs, and predatory mites to control red spider mites.

Physical Control:

• Use of netting to cover plants (grill) to prevent pest insects from reaching the crop.
• Planting windbreaks around the farm.
• Planting companion plants around the crop to provide habitat for beneficial insects.
• Controlling temperature and humidity in greenhouses to reduce fungal and bacterial diseases.
• Manually removing weeds that are hosts to many pests.
• Placing a plant cover of shredded plant residues around planting rows to reduce weed growth.
• Placing a silver-colored plastic cover over planting rows to reduce aphid infestation.
• Solar disinfection is an alternative to chemical pesticides.

Traps:

Traps are a safe means of monitoring insect activity, measuring their density, and reducing their numbers in order to control their spread and damage to plants. There are several types, including:

• Pheromone traps: These are traps that contain a pheromone that attracts insects.
• Light traps: These are metal or plastic structures equipped with a light source that attracts insects and causes them to fall into a container from which they cannot escape.
• Sticky traps: These are traps containing sticky material in various colors, including yellow, which is used to attract whiteflies and aphids, and blue to attract thrips and leafminers.
• Food traps: These traps attract insects with the smell of food inside them.

Control Using Plant Extracts:

1.       Plant Extracts for Insect Control:

• Neem seed extract (for leafminers, fruit flies, nematodes, and gnawing worms).
• Castor bean seed extract (for aphids and cabbage moths).
• Natural pyrethrum extract (for sucking insects such as aphids and thrips).

2.       Plant Extracts for Fungal Disease Control:

• Garlic extract (for fungal diseases in general).
• Chamomile tea solution (to control fungal mold on fruit trees).

3.       Natural Minerals for Insect and Fungal Disease Control:

• Sulfur powder (insect repellent and deterrent).
• Copper compounds (for controlling powdery mildew and blights).
• Baking soda (for controlling powdery mildew).
• Mineral oils (for controlling fungi, insects, and spiders).

8.       Harvesting:

Organic products are of high quality and have a higher economic value. In order to maintain appropriate financial returns, there are some tips that should be followed when harvesting to preserve the quality of the organic product:

• Choose the right time for harvesting according to the cultivated varieties to preserve the quality of the fruit and increase its shelf life.
• Choose the appropriate harvesting method to avoid wounds and damage to the crop.
• Do not expose the crop to direct sunlight and store it in a shaded room with good ventilation.
• Package and store the product in containers that take into account the size, shape, and type of the crop, with good ventilation.
• Place the UAE trademark on the organic product.
• Quickly transport the product to the storage room immediately after sorting, packaging, and loading.
• Display organic products in markets in a separate area from other agricultural products.

Agricultural and Food Security Data Platform:

ADAFSA is proud of its commitment to open data policy as part of its efforts to promote transparency and inclusiveness with the community. We believe in the importance of providing open and transparent access to information and data to farmers, the community, researchers, journalists, and developers, without compromising data policy and privacy. We are committed to ensuring the privacy and security of all users, producers, consumers, and our esteemed customers. The open data policy adopts clear procedures for the collection and use of data responsibly in accordance with the local laws and regulations of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. We are committed to providing transparent information on how data is collected and used, as well as user rights to access and control their personal data.

Together to Enhance Agricultural and Food Sector Data

To view the data, please visit the Agricultural and Food Security Platform at the following link: 

https://agrifoodinsights.adafsa.gov.ae/​