Look: How UAE farmer went from losing 34,000 fish overnight to cultivating stunning 'green haven'

Turning a plot of barren land to a thriving oasis of crops and fish, in a little more than two decades, may sound impossible. However, this UAE citizen battled challenges – like highly saline water – to create a green haven in a desert.

The farm, located in Al Ain, produces more than 150 tonnes of crops and uses innovative methods to yield more than 200,000 tilapia fish, every year.

This is one among many local farms that are open to public in the UAE, in an effort to inspire other farmers to embrace innovative practices.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

High salinity

When Abdul Rahman Al Shamsi acquired the farm land from the government in 1996, he was unable to manage it as he was working abroad. During that period, his brother supervised the farming.

Remembering the support farmers would receive from the Late Sheikh Zayed, he said to Khaleej Times, "Regardless of the challenges we faced back then, selling what we had managed to compensate for our losses."

Since Abdul Rahman took over the farm in 2003, he has been tackling multiple issues – like high salinity of the groundwater in the well. He installed desalination devices and implemented an aquaculture system to help provide safe and nutritious water.

'Many problems'

He also faced issues with sand encroachment, which he dealt with by planting trees as a barrier. While speaking to Khaleej Times, he said, "There are many problems, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t look for solutions."

When he was first building his fish tank, Abdul Rahman recalls, the type of fish he raised needed high oxygen levels. Unfortunately, one winter night, a generator supplying oxygen malfunctioned – killing nearly 34,000 fish at once.

However, he did not let this deter him; instead, he tried to resolve the issue by dividing the tanks and providing a backup in case of emergencies.

These fish farming ponds are crafted from reinforced plastic, fostering beneficial bacteria that convert ammonia into nitrogen, nourishing both fish and plants.

The farm also has a sustainable aquaculture system, where Abdul Rahman utilises water from his fish ponds to irrigate the fields, thereby producing a wide variety of crops without using greenhouses. Many people from the UAE and across the world have been drawn by this unique approach and have adopted these practices.

• UAE: 5 little-known outdoor attractions to explore as temperatures drop, winter begins