Albawaba.Com
Abu Dhabi
More than 1,400 small farms have been destroyed due to consecutive dry seasons in the United Arab Emirates, statistics showed.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Agriculture said the country is living through the worst drought since 1948. According to the ministry statistics, the current drought resembles that of 1948 and 1949, which were considered the worst in UAE history. The ministry said that more than 1,400 small farms in east UAE have dried up because of the heat and evaporation of underground fresh water. Most of the residents rely on their harvest for a living. The dry season is felt by all states of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Middle East countries.
But the ministry said the UAE would be most hard hit by the lack of water because of its population growth and its agriculture expansion projects as well as the rise in industry. All these projects require a large consumption of water. In spite of all efforts by the government to close the gap between water supply and demand, the UAE is still facing low levels of water. Officials say solutions need to be found quickly.
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