Goat Production to Improve Food Security in UAE

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Goat Production to Improve Food Security in UAE

• Safdar Muhammad, Ph.D.
• Associate Professor
• Department of Agribusiness
• College of Food Agriculture
• United Arab Emirates University
• Al Ain, UAE

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What is Food Security?

• Food security exists when all people, at all
  times, have physical and economic access to
  sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet
  their dietary needs and food preferences for an
  active and healthy lifestyle.

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Three Pillars of Food Security

• Food availability
• Sufficient quantities of food available on a
  consistent basis.
• Food access
• Having sufficient resources to obtain appropriate
  foods for a nutritious diet.
• Food utilization
• Appropriate use based on knowledge of basic
  nutrition and care.

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Household Food Security

• At the household level, food security refers to
  the ability of the household to secure, either
  from its own production or through purchases,
  adequate food for meeting the dietary needs of
  all members of the household.

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UAE Food Situation

• UAE import most of its food products.
• In 2007, total imports of agri-food products were
  estimated at US10.48 billion. (11.29 billion for
  agri. Products)
• In 2000, imports were valued US3.62 billion.
• An increase of about 189 since 2000.

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UAE Import and Export of Food Items, 1990-2007
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Percent Change in Food Import, Export and Trade
Deficit, 1990-2007
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Share of Food Imports in Economys total
Merchandise Imports

• 2000 10.3
• 2007 7.9

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Food Security Concerns

• UAE relies heavily and spending billions of
  dirham annually on food imports.
• But current global food crisis, high food prices
  and export restriction imposed by several food
  producing countries including India has raised
  serious concerns regarding the food security in
  UAE and Gulf region.
• It is emphasized to explore opportunities to
  achieve food self-sufficiency and ensure
  sustainable supply of food products.

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Some Options

• Increase domestic production
• Diversification of sources of imports
• Importing food items in strategic quantities.
• Buying agriculture land in other countries.
• Local, regional and global agriculture
  development.

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Domestic Production

• Learning from Saudi Arabia
• In UAE, cultivated area increased from 15,000
  hectares (ha) in 1977 to 71,000 ha in 1994, and
  around 260,000 ha in 2003 (3.1 of the UAE's
  total territory).
• There were over 38,500 farms in the UAE, up from
  21,000 in 1994, producing mainly vegetables,
  dates, and fruits.

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UAE Production of Live Animals, 1998-2004
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Why Goat Production?

• UAE has very diverse population
• For the majority, goat as their preferred meat
• Considered healthy red meat
• Easy to raise goats
• High value product
• Producer with experience in raising goats

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UAE Goat Slaughter Data (Head)
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• Potential exist for domestic goat production, if
• Providing resources such as feed, housing
  facilities, water, veterinary services etc.
• Identify Best Production and Management Practices
• Skills development
• Technology transfer
• Research and development
• Changing family farms to commercial farms
• Entrepreneurship training programs
• Market and value added product development
• Government support

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To Promote UAE Goat Industry

• To work with goat producers identify their
  needs and prioritize research areas. Some
  research areas
• Production Management
• Marketing strategies
• Livestock Auction
• Direct-to-Consumer
• Cooperative Marketing
• Processors (Contract Sales)
• Internet based marketing (E-Commerce)
• Others
• Consumers needs and preferences
• Training needs and organizing workshops

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• The specific focus should be
• On-farm management practices that impact food
  safety and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical
  Control Point) parameters at the processing and
  packaging facilities.
• Selection of quality goats in demand by consumers
  to provide opportunity for niche markets.
• Opportunities for value added products.
• Marketing options available and best suited for
  the industry.
• Educate farmers how to create link with other
  organized and successful organizations in the
  country and possibility of creating an export
  markets.
• Encourage direct linkage from the farm to the
  packer and retailer, the last stop before
  delivery to consumers.

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Thank You
Contact Information Dr. Safdar Muhammad,
Department of Agribusiness, College of Food and
Agriculture, United Arab Emirates University,
97137133379 or 971501383275,
smuhammad_at_uaeu.ac.ae