Abu Dhabi launches Nama Initiative to transform Al Ain farms into tourism hubs

The Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an and the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) launched the "Nama" Initiative on Wednesday, 21 October, to transform underutilised farms in Al Ain into commercial and tourism hubs. The programme provides farm owners with technical consultations, financial management support, and digital empowerment to convert private agricultural land into profitable ventures. Expanding Economic Activities on Farms The initiative follows the implementation of Abu Dhabi’s economic activity regulations, which now permit farm owners and licensed establishments to undertake 145 different approved economic activities. These include plant production, food-related services, and recreational agri-tourism experiences. The pilot phase will target selected farms in the Al Ain region to assess operational readiness before a wider emirate-level expansion. Dr. Tareq Ahmed Al Ameri, representing ADAFSA, stated that the initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of farm utilisation by providing an integrated system of technical and operational support. The goal is to enable farmers to generate sustainable economic returns while contributing to the emirate’s food security and economic diversification goals. Community and Tourism Impact Under the framework, Ma’an will oversee the governance and financial management systems for participating farms. Abdullah Humaid Al Ameri, Director General of Ma’an, noted that the model combines the revival of…