Ahmed Hamad Al Sheikh (right). Photo: Courtesy
Release date: Saturday, August 17, 2024 at 6:16 pm
Ahmed Hamad Al Sheikh, 24, just graduated from a university in the UAE this year with a degree in electrical engineering. But instead of pursuing a professional career, the young Emiratis has chosen to work full-time on his family’s farm, which he believes will help ensure the country’s food security.
He knows there’s more to farm work than feeding and cleaning animals and the occasional vet consultation, and he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. He was introduced to livestock farming at age 13 and helped his family start a farm at a young age.
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“My family already owned a farm and I grew up helping raise goats and sheep with my father and grandfather. But what started as a hobby and a way to spend time with my family eventually grew into something bigger,” Al Sheikh, who is based in Ras Al Khaimah, told Khaleej Times.
When the hobby turned into a full-fledged business, he sold his car to fund the operation. Al Sheikh’s role is to manage the operations of the farm, which also includes buying and selling livestock.
Initially, he raised livestock and sold them mainly to relatives and friends. Later, his business took off and he expanded his reach through social media. Now, he sources his livestock from various sources.
“Everyone is cheering for me.”
Initially, Al Sheikh faced a huge challenge juggling his academic life at Abu Dhabi Polytechnic with running his farm in Ras Al Khaimah. “Managing both was incredibly difficult, but with perseverance and the support of those around me, I was able to overcome these challenges,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Al Sheikh’s business received widespread support from family and friends. “Everyone around me has been very supportive and encouraging,” he said.
Looking ahead, Al-Sheikh is eager to expand his business. He plans to set up his own farm, separate from his father’s, and set up a company that can import livestock from neighboring countries.
Photo: Screenshot from wasl.ae/Instagram
However, he is open to returning to his field of electrical engineering if necessary: ”I would like to further develop my business and create a specialized company, but if things don’t go as planned, I might consider going back to my field and looking for work there.”
Regarding costs, Al Sheikh said the business is financially tough, especially in terms of loss control. “There is no success without effort and losses. Livestock farming is very expensive,” he said.
Food Security
Al Sheikh’s livestock numbers fluctuate daily depending on buying and selling activity, and with an area of 65,000 square feet, the farm has enough space to house multiple animals.
He is also optimistic that there will be increased support from relevant authorities to strengthen projects like his that contribute to food security and local production. “Support for young entrepreneurs in this sector can have huge benefits for the national economy,” he said.
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