The Ministry of Environment and Water has announced that it has inked a deal with LuLu Hypermarket, a leading retail division of LuLu Group International, to promote local agricultural products in its stores across the UAE. The move is in line with the Ministry’s strategy to enhance food safety and sustainability of domestic production as well as develop the UAE’s farmer community by promoting their products.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Engineer Majd Al Herbawi, Director, Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Ministry of Environment and Water, and Salim M A, Director of LuLu Group International. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of a number of farmers, customers and members of the staff during the opening of the organic food festival ‘Go Organic with LuLu’ at its store in Al Barsha, Dubai.
Engineer Al Herbawi pointed out that the signing of the memorandum is a part of the Ministry’s agenda to strengthen its cooperation with strategic partners in the public and private sectors in coordinating efforts to support local farmers and promote the UAE’s agriculture sector. The MoU will also contribute in finding more outlets for local produce that will enhance farmers’ economic prosperity, encouraging them take more agricultural projects. This, in turn, will increase national agriculture’s contribution in food security system and contribute to farmers’ return on investment, reflecting positively on the health of individuals and ensuring a sustainable environment for current and future generations.
Al Herbawi said that the two sides will cooperate to market the UAE’s agricultural products, including organic and hydroponic products. In addition, they will support the exchange of information about farmers who use organic farming pattern in production and whose products can be distinguished through the UAE brand (Organic). Along with hydroponic products, organic products will be displayed prominently so that consumers can easily distinguish them. Lastly, the Ministry and LuLu Hypermarket will publish promotional materials, including posters and stickers to make people aware about these products and UAE’s brand (Organic).
On the sidelines of the signing the MoU, LuLu Hypermarket opened its organic food festival ‘Go Organic with Lulu.’ The festival will display the organic products of local farmers along with organic products by the international brands that have been approved by the Ministry.