Nestled at the base of the rugged Hajar mountains lies a unique nursery that is nurturing and producing a wide variety of rare and diverse plants.
The emirate of Fujairah is known for its mountains and wadis, natural springs but little is known about its expanding acres of plantations. The Wdai Dafta Plantation is located approximately 20 kms outside Fujairah city on the Masafi Road.
The Wadi Dafta Plantation was founded by Ahmed Alhefeiti who gave Fujairah Observer a personal insight into his passion and vision for the future. Ahmed a retired Lt. Colonel who also served as Deputy Executive Director of Al Sharq Healthcare is a well known figure in Fujairah but this last year has seen him completely consumed with his “green” project.
Ahmed family origins are from the Fujairah Village of Sakamkam, with their traditional background being agriculture so you could say plants are in his blood. One thing for sure is you will rarely find anyone in Fujairah that talks so passionately and with such great knowledge on the subject of plants.
Ahmed purposely located the plantation on the wadi to provide his dreams with what he believes are essential to cultivating a variable array of plantation. These three essentials are soil, water and environment (his own designed- regulated air system).
A tremendous amount of early work was required to replace the subsoil which was extremely rocky but he provide his own blend of nutritious soil, tapping into local fresh water and even then with his own purification balancing it to give a constant clean and healthy flow of H2O and finally shielding and regulating temperatures to facilitate a stable air environment with temperature control.
Plants come from around the world from countries such as Korea, Thailand, Poland, Ukraine, Nepal, India, China, South Africa, Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan, Brazil, Philippines to name a few.
Ahmed will collect his plants on his travels, packing carefully in specialise bags (following strict UAE regulations) but often people will contact him when they have something that might be special.
Rare cactus, a vast array of fruit, papayas, bananas, pineapples, berries, tomatoes, spice and herbs are in abundance. The several varieties of mint he has include a chocolate flavour and a banana flavour, whilst also nurturing rare yellow strawberries, red bananas, coffee plants and even plants that are beneficial for cancer sufferers. The list is endless…
Ahmed’s vision is to introduce his passion to the youth of UAE with his young farmers’ project, which we at Fujairah Observer are keen to participate in. Sponsored children’s camps will develop their awareness of organic and local foods, and a programme of farm visits will help to facilitate experience and knowledge sharing with the next generation.
*This article was published on the Fujairah Observer Magazine/ May 2019
To read the Digital Magazine please click on the link below:
https://www.fujairahobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/May-2019.pdf
I have been meeting this enthusiastic and charismatic humble man, Ahmed and his beautiful family over the years on their visits to Cape Town South Africa. When we meet at Starke Ayres Garden Centre the oldest Garden centre in South Africa now 146 years we always share ideas of varieties, innovation, sales techniques, consumer trends, new gadgets etc. I wish him and his business blessings and anxiously await his or my next visit to catch up with eachother again.
Best Regards
Richard Morris
General Manager Starke Ayres Garden Centres.