Elite Agro, a leading Abu Dhabi producer and distributor of fresh fruit and vegetables, has created the ultimate conditions for cultivating 25 tonnes of pumpkins which are set to fly off the supermarket shelves soon.

 

The pumpkins are grown at Al Foah Farm in Abu Dhabi where innovative agriculture techniques allow technology and nature to produce the ultimate environment for the perfect crop. 

 

Sprawling net houses with thousands of friendly bees ensure pollination and automated monitoring and irrigation provide the ultimate growing conditions all year round. The pumpkins are cut from the vine, dried in the fields and delivered to the supermarket shelves for October’s spooky spectacular celebrations. 

 

“We are proud to be cultivating seasonal produce, allowing consumers to choose the freshest fruit and vegetables throughout the year, grown in EAG local farms.  There is often a misconception that food is difficult to grow locally due to the arid climate. The reality is that our revolutionary technology, infrastructure and farming techniques allow the production of the highest quality, freshest and most reliable harvest all year round,” commented Ian Summerfield, Elite Agro CEO.

 

Pumpkins are not just for Halloween, this diverse vegetable is rich in nutritional qualities with a range of essential vitamins including vitamin A, B and E, contributing to strengthening the immune system. To produce nutritionally rich and large pumpkins, this vegetable requires ample shaded space for sprawling vines and a temperate climate.   

 

In the 75-90 days growing period from seed to picking, the pumpkins are protected by net houses from nature’s elements of sun, wind and pests. 

 

As notorious greedy feeders are nourished through automated systems that provide them with their ultimate irrigation and fertiliser requirements on a daily basis. Honey bees, who also produce EAG’s local honey, are used for pollination. Once harvested, the pumpkins are naturally dried in the sun. 

 

“This October we encourage budding chefs to go beyond the spooky pumpkin cut outs and support our sustainable approach to farming by using every part of the pumpkin to make delicious and nutritious food for all the family. Our farms cultivate over 25 varieties of fresh fruit and vegetables which allow UAE residents to proudly support local production and eat great food while contributing to the long term food supply of the Nation,” Summerfield continued. 

 

Customers can buy the Al Foah Farm pumpkins from leading retailers including Spinneys, Carrefour and online at Farmbox, the authentic farm store with a clear mission to offer customers fresh, organic, and premium food and beverage produce from farm to table through their convenient app and website.

 

Elite Agro, part of Yas Holding, cultivates approximately 3,000 hectares of fresh produce across four major farms, located in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The company’s commitment to achieving the Nation’s  farming vision is enabled by world-class irrigation and farming technologies, highly competitive and specialised talent, and the most economic use of natural resources conserving water, energy and land.

-- TradeArabia News Service