At 78 years old, Emirati farmer Rashid سالم سعيد بن صياح اليماحي still manages his farm in Fujairah, maintaining a daily connection to the land that began when he was just six years old. Fujairah agriculture was historically not just a livelihood for securing food, but a way of life shaped by the bond between humans, land, and water, according to historical accounts and local interviews.
Farming Realities Along the East Coast
Agricultural life across Fujairah required immense physical labor, utilizing traditional methods long before modern pumps and machinery became available. Farmers relied on wells locally known as “Al-Tawi” and used oxen for plowing and drawing water, while mountain residents drew fresh water from “Falaj” irrigation channels. Creating and cleaning irrigation canals was demanding work, yet cultivators found satisfaction in watching crops grow and yield results. The region benefited from abundant rainfall, fertile land, and fewer saline areas, which allowed farming to flourish despite the coastal geography.
Did You Know? Rashid سالم سعيد بن صياح اليماحي entered his first farm to begin working at approximately six years of age, learning traditional techniques that he continues to reflect upon today.
Traditional Crops and Regional Trade
Local farmers cultivated a diverse range of seasonal crops, growing corn and animal feed during the summer, while winter months brought wheat and barley. Traditional farms also produced tomatoes, eggplants, pumpkins, watermelons, mangoes, guavas, and lemons. Among these, tobacco—known locally as “Al-Ghehyoun”—served as a prominent commercial crop that required intensive care, from preparing seedlings to drying leaves for markets across the United Arab Emirates and the broader Gulf region.
Farmers transported goods to Dubai and Sharjah markets via lengthy journeys lasting between seven and 10 days. Lacking motor vehicles, they traveled on foot or utilized pack animals and the assistance of Bedouin tribesmen, carrying goods in traditional bags and containers. Dates remained a dietary staple, preserved using palm fronds and containers holding between 12 and 16 kilograms of fruit.
Expert Insight: The historical reliance on tightly integrated local resources—such as gathering firewood from mountains and sourcing seafood fertilizer—highlights how early communities sustained complex agrarian economies through sheer generational knowledge before modern supply chains emerged.
Modern Transformations and Family Life
Following the establishment of the UAE, agricultural practices shifted with the introduction of modern irrigation, water pumps, greenhouses, and mechanized transport. Many younger family members eventually transitioned to other professions, moving away from full-time farming as the sole source of household income. Even so, the senior farmer continues to oversee his land, viewing the emergence of new sprouts from the soil as one of the most rewarding aspects of rural life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the primary water sources for early farmers in Fujairah?
Farmers relied heavily on local wells called “Al-Tawi” alongside mountain “Falaj” irrigation channels fed by consistent rainfall.
How long did it take to transport goods to markets in the past?
Transporting crops like tobacco to markets in Dubai and Sharjah took between seven and 10 days on foot or using pack animals.
When did the commercial cultivation of local tobacco stop?
The cultivation of local tobacco gradually declined until it stopped entirely in the early 1990s as residents shifted toward alternative careers.
What traditions from early agricultural life do you think resonate most strongly with modern farming practices today?
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